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Art as the practice of freedom: Critical alliances and professional identities within art librarianship

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2019

Amanda Meeks
Amanda Meeks*
Affiliation:
Teaching, Learning and Research Services Librarian for the College of Arts and Letters, Cline Library, Northern Arizona University, 1001 South Knoles Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, USA Email: amanda.meeks@nau.edu
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Abstract

This article explores issues of developing individual and collective professional identities within art librarianship, with an emphasis on art librarians’ relationship to art and art-making. By having more honest conversations around what art does, what artists do and how they function in society, we can challenge deeply held assumptions about art librarianship; in particular, that our work is somehow removed from the political and social contexts in which we perform it. Through critical interventions within our profession we can develop a better understanding and definition of our relationship to art and artists in order to situate ourselves within current art practices. We can then build impactful relationships and social justice-oriented solidarity with creative practitioners and artists who are actively challenging structural oppression and promoting social justice through their work.

Type
Research Article
Information
Art Libraries Journal , Volume 44 , Special Issue 2: Critical Art Librarianship , April 2019 , pp. 61 - 66
Copyright
© ARLIS, 2019 

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