Guidelines for Art History
Table of Contents
1. Purpose2. General Collection Guidelines
A. Language
B. Chronology
C. Geography
D. Publication Date
E. Treatment of Subject
F. Types of Materials and Formats
3. Area Resources
4. Subjects and Collecting Levels
1. Purpose.
Collections in Art History support a research agenda consistent with the research enterprise at a Carnegie Research Intensive (Very High Research) institution with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in the field. See specific collecting levels under section 4.
The collection supports research and teaching in the Department of Art History through the Doctorate of Philosophy level. The primary goal of the program is to provide the student with a broad humanistic educational base. To that end, the focus is on a general comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, as well as the development of analytical methods. Programs are designed to train critical and productive scholars. Students concentrate on Western art from the Renaissance to the present and areas of Non-Western art (African, Pre-Columbian, South-East Asian, Native American, and Latin American colonial art.) The graduate program in Art History places a strong emphasis on multi-cultural and interdisciplinary approaches to art history.
The Department of Art History offers two Bachelor of Arts degrees in art historical studies and in architectural history. Master of Arts degrees are offered in three areas-- art historical studies, architectural history, and museum studies. Doctor of Philosophy degrees are offered in two areas, art historical studies and curatorial studies.
2. General Collection Guidelines.
A.
Language.
Working in foreign languages is a key component of art history and is required of all students. English is the chief language of collected resources, though there are no restrictions. Resources in French, Spanish, Italian, and German are actively acquired to meet the needs of advanced research. Resources in non-Western languages are selectively collected to match specific projects and areas of study.
B.
Chronology.
No restrictions.
C.
Geography.
No restrictions.
D.
Publication Date.
No restrictions. Particular attention is paid to the acquisition of retrospective titles foundational to the discipline and specific areas of study.
E.
Treatment of Subject.
Materials providing historical, critical, or technical aspects of art history, architectural history, and museum studies are acquired. With few exceptions materials geared towards the general population, like guides to collecting antiques, are not acquired.
F.
Types of Materials and Formats.
Monographs, reference works, and serials are actively collected. Physical copies are preferred where images and illustrations are a primary concern. Electronic versions of serials are actively acquired. Serial back files are collected, funds permitting. Dissertations are occasionally acquired to meet specific research needs. In general, art auction catalogs are not acquired.
Streaming media programs are actively sought and evaluated for content relevant to the arts. The development of streaming platforms and the negotiations of copyright is closely monitored. To assure uninterrupted access, DVD is the current preferred format for core titles and remains the only available option for many titles.
Electronic and online resources to support the Department of Photography and Film are actively sought and evaluated for acquisition.
3. Area Resources.
The library at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a complementary resource in the Richmond metropolitan area for the study and analysis of art disciplines.
4. Subjects and Collecting Levels.
Resources on Art History relating to the areas of study in the department are collected at a research level (4). These areas cover Western art from the Renaissance to the present, works concerning curatorial studies and museum practice, critical and historiographical works on the discipline, and the non-Western areas of African and Oceanic art, Pre-Columbian Art, Southeast Asian Art, and Latin American colonial art. Areas outside the focus of the department, such as Classical art and medieval art, are collected at an instructional support level (3).