2024-2025 VRA Professional Development Grant Call for Applications
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is pleased to invite applications for the 2024-2025 VRA Professional Development Grant. Applications are accepted January 18 – March 1, 2024.
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is pleased to invite applications for the 2024-2025 VRA Professional Development Grant. Applications are accepted January 18 – March 1, 2024.
The VRA Professional Development Grant awards up to $1,000 to support professional development in the field of visual resources and cultural heritage information management. The grant can be used to participate in a professional development opportunity of the grantee’s choosing (e.g., a conference, symposium, or workshop), or to enroll in relevant research activities (e.g., hands-on field work or a site visit for scholarly purposes). Priority will be given to applications that
enable a leadership role at an event, including, but not limited to, giving a paper, teaching a workshop, or chairing a committee;
support research that shows promise to lead to publication and contributes to the visual resources and cultural heritage information management community; and
provide evidence that receiving the grant will benefit the applicant as well as an institution, community, or region.
A complete description of the Professional Development Grant and application instructions are available at https://www.vraweb.org/professional-development-grant.
Please share this announcement with anyone who might be interested.
VRA Quarterly Newsletter | Fall 2023
Fall 2023 Association News
VRA 2023 Conference
This fall the VRA's Annual Conference took place September 26-28 in San Antonio. Slide decks shared by presenters are now available on the VRA's SlideShare account, and the keynote speech can be viewed on the VRA's Vimeo channel. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the conference, whether by sharing knowledge through a presentation or by helping out behind the scenes!
Travel Awards Endowment
Nine conference-goers received Travel Awards to support their attendance in San Antonio. During the conference, President John Trendler was pleased to announce the establishment of the Travel Awards Endowment. Founded through the generosity of a fellow VRA member, the fund provides long-term support for the Travel Awards program. Thanks to the enthusiastic response of our community, the Association has met the first milestone fundraising goal of $15,000 by the end of 2023.
Distinguished Service Award and Honorary Lifetime Membership Award
The Association's two highest honors were presented at the conference. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Greg Reser, University of California, San Diego’s Art Library Image Cataloger/Metadata Specialist (retired). Reser richly deserves the DSA for his metadata expertise, technical vision, advanced research, innovative developments, generous collaboration, and dedication to the field of Visual Resources.
The Honorary Life Membership Award was presented to Jenni Rodda in recognition of her diligent leadership, generous mentorship, and outstanding, career-long dedication to the field of visual resources. Rodda was the Manager of Digital Media and Computer Services at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University for 36 years, only having recently retired.
vrcHost Membership Awards
This year saw the creation of a new award, the vrcHost Membership Awards. Generously sponsored by vrcHost, these awards are intended to provide VRA memberships to engage new members in the organization and to help existing members who might need financial assistance to retain their VRA membership. Twelve information professionals were selected as recipients of this inaugural round of awards.
Regional Workshops
The Regional Workshop Implementation Team coordinated two online workshops this fall, "A Hands-On Introduction to IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework)" with Glen Robson and "Can We Do That?: Intellectual Property Rights and Visual Media" with Anne Young.
VRA Statement of Solidarity Against Book Bans
In response to conference programing discussing censorship's effects on librarians in Texas and beyond, the Equitable Action Committee (EAC) led the effort to create the VRA Statement of Solidarity Against Book Bans, a declaration of the Association's solidarity with information professionals facing aggressive challenges to their mission and collections. The VRA Executive Board encourages you to read the statement and get involved by sending letters of encouragement and support using the included template.
2023-2024 VRA Internship Award Recipient
The Association was pleased to present the 11th VRA Internship Award in visual resources and image management, generously funded by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, to Marco Lanier, a graduate student at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts. He will receive $3,000 to work a minimum of 200 hours at The History Project, which is a volunteer-driven organization that maintains one of the largest independent LGBTQ+ archives in the nation.
2023-2024 VRA Project Grant
The Association was pleased to present the 2023-2024 VRA Project Grant to Virginia Seymour, Head Librarian of Research and Instruction, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). In an effort to preserve and make accessible an invaluable piece of animation history for a broader audience, SCAD Libraries will launch a pilot processing and digitization project for the Don Bluth Collection of Animation.
VRA Bulletin Fall/Winter 2023 Issue Published
The Fall/Winter 2023 issue of the VRA Bulletin (VRAB) is now available! Explore the new issue of the VRA's fully open access journal.
Leadership Updates
President-Elect
Xiaoli Ma was appointed President-Elect. She will serve as President-Elect until March 2024, at which time she will become President and serve in that role until March 2026. Xiaoli is the Metadata Librarian and Head of the Metadata Unit at the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida.
Junior Director for Events and Initiatives
Maria Nuccilli was appointed Junior Director for Events and Initiatives. She will serve as Junior Director until March 2024, at which time she will become Senior Director for Events and Initiatives and serve in that role until March 2025. Maria is Interim Assistant Dean for Discovery and Innovation in the Wayne State University Library System
Communications Technology Advisor
Meghan Rubenstein has been appointed as the Association's Communications Technology Advisor. Meghan is the Curator of Visual Resources at Colorado College and served on the Executive Board from 2020 to 2022 as Public Relations and Communications Officer. The Executive Board would like to thank outgoing Tech Advisor Allison Cywin for her years of service to the organization.
Current Opportunities
Executive Board Openings
The VRA is currently seeking volunteers for three Board positions, Treasurer, Public Relations and Communications Officer, and Junior Director for Events and Initiatives. Terms of office will begin in Spring 2024. If you are interested, please contact board@vraweb.org for more information.
Junior Workshop Liaison
The VRA Regional Workshop Implementation Team is seeking a new Junior Workshop Liaison (2024-2026). The person in this position progresses from Junior to Senior Workshop Liaison and then finishes their three-year term as the Workshop Coordinator. Please send a letter of interest and resume to workshops@vraweb.org by December 29, 2023.
Social Media Manager
The Social Media Manager engages in outreach for the VRA through the creation and management of content published to VRA social media accounts, increasing the visibility of the Association’s online presence. Please contact Public Relations and Communications Officer Margaret McKee at info@vraweb.org for more information.
Upcoming Events
EAC Community Hour: January Check-in
Wednesday, January 10, 3 p.m. EST / 12 p.m. PST
Join the EAC for their annual start-of-the-semester/start-of-the-year informal discussion and brainstorming session. How are we all doing? Although resolutions are not required, everyone is invited to share their thoughts on upcoming challenges and opportunities in their workplaces, particularly those related to diversity, equity, accessibility, and/or inclusion as we head into 2024.
Summer Educational Institute (SEI)
June 24-July 2
The Summer Educational Institute (SEI) for Digital Stewardship of Visual Information, a joint program of the Art Libraries Society of North America and the VRA, will be held online June 24-July 2, 2024. Registration rates will be $225 for members of ARLIS/NA and VRA and $300 for non-members. SEI 2024 will be capped at 50 attendees. Registration will open on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.
VRA Bulletin | Fall/Winter 2023
VRA Bulletin Vol. 50 No. 2 (2023): Fall/Winter
The Fall/Winter 2023 issue of the VRA Bulletin (VRAB) is now available. Explore the new issue of the VRA's fully open access journal.
IN THIS ISSUE
ASSOCIATION NEWS
2023 VRA Awards Recipients & Recognition
Ann McShane
PERSPECTIVES
Mobilizing the Values of Our Profession: An Interview with Marika Cifor
Sara Schumacher, Marika Cifor
FEATURE ARTICLES
Capstone Innovation: Supporting Art History Students’ Digital Projects at American University
Samuel Sadow, Melissa Becher
Sarah Carter, Jackie Huddle
The VRA Core in a Digital Library of Artistic Production
Vania Mara Alves Lima, Marina Macambyra
REVIEWS
Review of “Copyright: Best Practices for Academic Libraries”
John Hosford
About the VRA Bulletin
The VRA Bulletin (VRAB) is the journal of the Visual Resources Association (VRA), a multidisciplinary, international organization dedicated to furthering image management education and research by providing leadership in the field, developing and advocating standards, and offering educational tools and opportunities for the benefit of the community at large. The VRAB is a fully open access journal and issues are available to anyone immediately upon publication. All costs of publishing are borne by the Visual Resources Association; there is no cost to the authors in order to publish.
Interested in publishing in the VRAB? Information about the submission and publication process is available on the VRAB website.
Announcing the 2023-2024 VRA Project Grant Recipient
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is pleased to present the 2023-2024 VRA Project Grant in the amount of $3,000 to Virginia Seymour, Head Librarian of Research and Instruction, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is pleased to present the 2023-2024 VRA Project Grant in the amount of $3,000 to Virginia Seymour, Head Librarian of Research and Instruction, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
In an effort to preserve and make accessible an invaluable piece of animation history for a broader audience, SCAD Libraries will launch a pilot processing and digitization project for the Don Bluth Collection of Animation. VRA funding to support this work will enable SCAD Libraries to hire a graduate intern to assist in rehousing, inventorying, metadata creation, and scanning for up to 200 hours. This project seeks to expand online and in-person access to the Don Bluth Collection, focusing initially on materials related to the film An American Tail (1986) while laying a long-term foundation to process and digitize the remaining sixteen productions in the collection.
VRA Statement of Solidarity Against Book Bans
The Visual Resources Association stands in unwavering solidarity with information professionals facing aggressive challenges to their mission and collections. We encourage VRA members to take action against censorship.
The Visual Resources Association stands in unwavering solidarity with information professionals facing aggressive challenges to their mission and collections. As cultural heritage professionals, we are allied with public, school, and academic librarians, who play a crucial role in our communities by curating diverse collections of books, educational materials, and resources, offering guidance to readers of all backgrounds, and fostering a love for learning. They ensure that information is readily accessible to all, without discrimination or censorship, which is a cornerstone of democratic societies.
The increasing hostilities and pressures confronting librarians are deeply troubling, especially as the recent proliferation of book ban efforts specifically targets materials that represent vulnerable and/or marginalized groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community and BIPOC. This not only threatens the intellectual freedom of these communities but also perpetuates discrimination and stifles important dialogues surrounding equity and representation.
We firmly believe in the essential role librarians play in enriching our communities, promoting inclusivity, and defending the fundamental values of intellectual freedom and democracy. We encourage VRA members to take action against censorship. Take the time to learn more using the resources below. Send letters of encouragement and support to your local library or school board using the included draft letter and/or your own personal message.
Resources:
Challenges and Censorship to Intellectual and Artistic Freedoms in the News (Google Doc compiled by Sara Schumacher for the VRA 2023 Conference presentation in September 2023).
Other organizations fighting book bans and other forms of censorship:
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): The ACLU advocates for freedom of expression and has a history of defending artists and cultural institutions against censorship.
American Library Association (ALA): The ALA has been a leading advocate for intellectual freedom and the right to read. They maintain resources, guidelines, and support for librarians, educators, and the public facing book challenges.
Banned Books Week: This is an annual event held by the ALA and other organizations to raise awareness of book bans and censorship issues. It often features events and resources to support the freedom to read.
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBLDF): While primarily focused on comics and graphic novels, CBLDF also fights against censorship and offers resources for understanding and combating book bans.
EveryLibrary: EveryLibrary builds support for libraries and helps Americans fight book banning in their communities.
Fight for the First: “Campaigns on Fight for the First will allow you to take action against book bans in your community and gain direct support from EveryLibrary. If you create a campaign on Fight for the First, EveryLibrary will help you reach more people in your community through our extensive supporter and partner network. We'll also help you get the training and support you need to win!”
Freedom to Read Foundation (American Library Association): This organization is dedicated to the freedom to read and works on issues related to censorship affecting books and cultural materials.
Kids' Right to Read Network (National Coalition Against Censorship): A joint project of the NCAC and ABFE, KRRP specifically focuses on challenges to books and other materials in schools and libraries.
National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC): NCAC focuses on various forms of censorship, including that which affects art and cultural heritage.
PEN America: “PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.”
Unite Against Book Bans Action Toolkit: “A small but vocal group is driving the current flood of book bans in school and public libraries across the country. It's important to counter those voices by uniting in support of the freedom to read in your local community. How can you and your community unite against book bans? We've put together this action toolkit to help you get started.”
Form letter:
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Date]
[Librarian's Name]
[Library Name]
[Library Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Librarian's Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I wanted to take a moment to express my wholehearted support for your invaluable work as a librarian at [Library Name]. Your dedication to fostering knowledge, diversity, and the free exchange of ideas is commendable, and it has not gone unnoticed.
In these challenging times, it has come to my attention that you and your colleagues are facing criticism, hostility, and attempts to ban or restrict books and materials. I want to assure you that your unwavering commitment to intellectual freedom and the right of all individuals to access a diverse array of information is deeply appreciated.
I am especially impressed by your commitment to upholding these principles in the face of efforts to target materials representing marginalized groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community and BIPOC. Your advocacy for diversity, inclusion, and social justice, despite the challenges you encounter, is truly commendable.
I firmly believe in the essential role librarians play in enriching our communities, promoting inclusivity, and defending the fundamental values of intellectual freedom and democracy. Your work as a librarian is an embodiment of these principles.
Please know that you have my wholehearted support and admiration. I stand in solidarity with you and your colleagues at [Library or School Name]. Keep up the vital work you are doing, and may you continue to be a beacon of knowledge, reason, and enlightenment for all in our community.
If there is anything I can do to assist or support you in your mission, please do not hesitate to reach out. You have my deepest gratitude and respect.
Thank you once again for your unwavering dedication and service to our community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Announcing the Recipients of VRA Awards!
VRA is proud to announce its two highest honors presented at the 41st annual conference in San Antonio, Texas on September 27th, 2023!
VRA is proud to announce its two highest honors presented at the 41st annual conference in San Antonio, Texas on September 27th, 2023!
Distinguished Service Award
Each year, VRA honors an individual who has made an outstanding career contribution to the field with the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). The 2023 DSA was proudly presented to Greg Reser, University of California, San Diego’s Art Library Image Cataloger/Metadata Specialist (retired). Reser richly deserves the DSA for his metadata expertise, technical vision, advanced research, innovative developments, generous collaboration, and dedication to the field of Visual Resources
As nominators Jackie Spafford and Sonja Sekely-Rowland remarked, “It is hard to imagine where our field would be today were it not for Greg’s innovations, energy and generosity. His are the definition of ‘career contributions,’ with an ongoing impact and a legacy that others will continue to learn from and build on for years to come.”
Nomination Speech Transcript, Jackie Spafford and Sonja Sekely-Rowland
Honorary Life Membership Award
Special Honorary Life Memberships (HLM) are awarded to individuals by the Executive Board in recognition of eminent distinction in the field. The tenth ever HLM was presented to Jenni Rodda in recognition of her diligent leadership, generous mentorship, and outstanding, career-long dedication to the field of visual resources. Rodda was the Manager of Digital Media and Computer Services at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University for 36 years, only having recently retired. In her acceptance speech, Jenni said, “speaking, writing, leading, mentoring, learning. These are the skills I honed through VRA. I hope the Association benefitted from my work; I know I benefitted from being a VRA member.”
Congratulations to the very deserving 2023 VRA Awards recipients and sincere thanks to their thoughtful nominators!
A full report of all the 2023 awards is scheduled for the next issue of the VRA Bulletin, Fall/Winter Vol. 50 No. 2 (2023).
Announcing the VRA Travel Awards Endowment! ✈
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is thrilled to announce the establishment of the Travel Awards Endowment. Founded through the generosity of a fellow VRA member, the fund provides long-term support for the Travel Awards program.
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is thrilled to announce the establishment of the Travel Awards Endowment. Founded through the generosity of a fellow VRA member, the fund provides long-term support for the Travel Awards program.
We’re off to a great start, but we need your help to grow the endowment! 💰💰💰
Our goal is to get the Travel Awards Endowment to its first milestone, $15,000, by the end of 2023. To get us rolling, the donor has generously offered $5,000 as a base fund. To provide additional inspiration to potential supporters, they have also agreed to match the first $5,000 in donations. 🎉
Since sharing news of the endowment at the annual conference last week we have received $1,800 in contributions from our community, which will be matched. That means the fund currently stands at $8,600 in pledges. Help us make our goal of $15,000 by donating today!
All donations made toward the fund increase the total amount of funding available to the Travel Awards program each year. Your tax-deductible contribution enriches the professional lives of your visual resources colleagues by making conference participation more accessible. Many of us have benefited from the Travel Awards program; it’s time to give back!
No donation is too small--and remember, whatever you give will be doubled until we hit $5,000 in matching funds!
Please consider donating today. 💙
2023-2024 VRA Project Grant Call for Applications
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is pleased to invite applications for the 2023-2024 VRA Project Grant.
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is pleased to invite applications for the 2023-2024 VRA Project Grant. Applications are accepted September 18 - November 3, 2023.
The Project Grant awards up to $3,000 to support projects in the field of visual resources and image management. The project must be completed within one year from the time the grant is formally accepted. The funds may be used for stand-alone projects or pilots, start-up financing for larger projects, or for a component of a larger project. Collaborative projects and those proposed by groups, whether or not affiliated with an organization or institution, are encouraged. Of particular interest are innovative projects with results that can have a broad impact and be shared with the global community. Categories to be considered for funding include, but are not limited to, the following:
Metadata for Visual Media
Visual Media Cataloguing Standards
Visual Media Data Standards
Digitization Projects of Special or Unique Collections (Educational Institutions, Libraries, Museums)
Visual Literacy
Technology Development for Visual Media Management and Pedagogy
Intellectual Property Rights
A complete description of the Project Grant and application instructions are available at https://www.vraweb.org/project-grant.
Please share this announcement with anyone who might be interested.
Announcing the 2023-2024 VRA Internship Award Recipient
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is pleased to announce the 2023-2024 VRA Internship Award in visual resources and image management.
The Visual Resources Association (VRA) is pleased to announce the 2023-2024 VRA Internship Award in visual resources and image management. This award was generously funded by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Marco Lanier, a graduate student at Simmons University in Boston, Massachusetts, is the recipient of the 11th Internship Award. He will receive $3,000 to work a minimum of 200 hours at The History Project, which is a volunteer-driven organization that maintains one of the largest independent LGBTQ+ archives in the nation.
Through his internship, Marco will digitize a selection of visual resources from The History Project's collection of Gay Community News (GCN), which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and make the selection accessible through the archives' digital collections platform. GCN is an influential Boston-based newspaper that reported on LGBTQ+ life and issues across the US. As part of the newspaper's 50th anniversary, The History Project is organizing a series of panel discussions about GCN in collaboration with the Massachusetts Historical Society. Digitizing and ensuring access to these materials will be of considerable value to the public and enhance the impact of The History Project’s public programming, education, and outreach efforts.
The VRA is pleased to support the education and practical training of emerging professionals through this internship award. The Internship Award Committee (Linda Callahan, Liz Gadelha, and Sagan Thacker, our previous awardee) appreciates the careful thought that went into every proposal. We are grateful to the Kress Foundation for its assistance and for recognizing the potential of this award to foster the next generation of visual resource professionals.
VRA 2023: Save the date for the Awards Ceremony! ✨🏆✨
Please join the celebration of this year’s recipients of the VRA’s Honorary Life Members Award, Distinguished Service Award, and vrcHost Membership Awards at the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, September 27th, 2023, at 5:00pm CDT.
This exciting event will be accessible on Zoom and in-person at the San Antonio conference. Non-conference attendees are also warmly invited to attend. If you would like to attend online but are not registered for the conference, please click the link below to register to attend the Awards Ceremony at no cost.
For more information about the Awards Committee, including descriptions of all the awards, lists of previous recipients, and requirements for nomination, please visit the Awards Committee webpage.
It isn’t too early to think ahead to next year. If you would you like to see someone recognized for significant contributions to the VR field, you may send an e-mail of intent or query to the Awards Committee, or you may complete the preliminary scouting form.
We look forward to celebrating with you!
The VRA Awards Committee
VRA 2023: Black History River Boat Tour
Does our conference logo have you dreaming of a boat cruise down the San Antonio River? We are excited to bring that dream to life in a very special way!
Join the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) for a private river cruise as a part of your VRA 2023 experience. SAAACAM’s Black History River Boat Tour is 90 minutes long and provides an untold perspective of African American influence on events and locations alongside the picturesque banks of the historic River Walk.
Our tour will take place Thursday, September 28th, at 6 p.m and is limited to 30 people. Registration is $25. The tour will last approximately 90 minutes, allowing us to see the sun set on the banks of the San Antonio River. Please note that this tour is not included in your conference registration and must be registered for separately.
Don't miss your chance to be part of this voyage through history – secure your registration now before the limited spots fill up!
Tour details:
Passengers will meet up at 218 S. Presa at the back patio of SAAACAM’s downtown exhibit space located in the La Villita historic arts village in building #20. Plaza Nacional is the name of the small plaza just off their back patio. Passengers must arrive at the meet-up location no later than 6, and the boat departs the dock at 6:30 p.m.
Questions about the registration form? Please contact Membership Services Coordinator Lise Hawkos at join@vraweb.org if you need help to complete your registration.
VRA 2023: These Boots Were Made for Walking 👢✨
As you prepare for a week of learning and networking at this year’s VRA conference, don't miss out on the chance to experience some of the best that San Antonio has to offer. No car? No problem. Here's a rundown of ten local attractions just a short jaunt from our homebase at Hotel Valencia Riverwalk.
River Walk: This one's a no-brainer. Take a leisurely walk along the picturesque San Antonio River, lined with cobblestone pathways, lush greenery, restaurants, and cafes.
The Alamo: [7-minute walk] You’ve definitely heard of it, but no trip to San Antonio is complete without a visit to the Alamo.
Briscoe Western Art Museum: [8-minute walk] Dive into the history and artistry of the American West at the Briscoe Museum.
La Villita Historic Arts Village: [10-minute walk] This tranquil city park is a National Historic District, featuring over 25 galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.
San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM, pronounced “say-cam”): [10-minute walk] Delve into the rich and often untold history of San Antonio's African American community, which is deeply intertwined with the city’s development.
River Walk Public Art Garden: [12-minute walk] As you wander along the River Walk, make sure to pause at the Public Art Garden. This outdoor gallery showcases a curated collection of sculptures and installations by local and international artists.
Historic Market Square (El Mercado): [13-minute walk] When you're ready for a change of pace, venture over to Market Square, a lively marketplace just minutes from our conference venue.
Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair [14-minute walk] Enjoy a stroll through this dynamic urban park with interactive art, lush greenery, games, and several spots to eat and drink.
San Antonio Museum of Art: [24-minute walk} Explore Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Latin American, and contemporary collections in the former Lone Star Brewery.
Historic Pearl District: [35-minute walk] Extend your exploration a little further to the historic Pearl District, a former brewery turned vibrant mixed-use development. Enjoy strolls along the River Walk extension, explore unique boutiques, and discover a plethora of dining options.
Are you ready, boots? Stay tuned for more recommendations from the Local Planning Committee!
Contributor:
Maria Nuccilli
Junior Director for Events & Initiatives
Digital Collections Librarian, Wayne State University Library System
EAC August 2023 Community Hour Notes
Thanks to those who were able to join us for yesterday's discussion of “Tackling Taboo Topics: A Review of the Three M's in Working Women's Lives”, by Alicia A. Grandey, Allison S. Gabriel, and Eden B. King (Journal of Management, Volume 46, Issue 1, https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206319857144).
If you weren't able to join us, the Community Hour notes can be found here.
Our next Community Hour will be announced in early September.
Best,
Lesley and Cindy
Announcing the Recipients of the vrcHost Membership Awards
The vrcHost Membership Awards provide a year of individual VRA membership, and chapter memberships of the recipient’s choice, with the full benefits of being a VRA member, including but not limited to: access to the VRA Listserv; opportunities to publish in the open access VRA Bulletin; discounted registration for the annual national VRA conference; continuing education opportunities; and other mentoring and networking opportunities. They are intended to provide VRA memberships to engage new members in the organization and to help existing members, who might need financial assistance to retain their VRA membership.
These new awards are sponsored by vrcHost, a company that offers comprehensive solutions for the Madison Digital Image Database (MDID) project--installation, integration, hosting, customization, and software development--while also serving as the exclusive agent for the Archivision Research Library, which provides professional architecture and art photography with rich metadata for educational purposes. VRA is grateful for this generous subvention.
The VRA Awards Committee is delighted to announce that twelve information professionals have been selected as recipients of the 2023 vrcHost Membership Awards. Congratulations to:
Ezekiel Amari McGee, University of California, Davis
Gina Caprari, San Francisco State University
Charlie P. Coffey, Wesleyan University
Jennifer Galipo, MLIS, SJSU
Joan Jocson-Singh, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Peter Kaiser, Student, Pratt Institute
Gina Palumbo, Independent
Mimosa Shah, Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Molly Schoen, Fashion Institute of Technology
Michelle Schweickart, University of Dayton
Warner West, University of Richmond
and those still processing membership or wishing to remain anonymous.
Please join us in welcoming these new members to the Visual Resources Association and in thanking vrcHost for funding these inaugural awards.
With much appreciation,
VRA Awards Committee
Sarah Beck (Lafayette University)
Maureen Burns (IMAGinED Consulting & Archivision Associate)
Linda Callahan (Mount Holyoke College, retired)
Dawn Feavyour (Independent)
Marcia Focht (Binghamton University, retired)
Ann McShane (Emory University)
Summer Shetenhelm (Yale University)
Margaret Webster (Cornell University, retired)
and with special thanks to Alexandra Scholten (University of Chicago) from VREPS for providing valuable assistance on the planning subcommittee
Announcing the VRA 2023 Travel Award Winners! ✈
The VRA Travel Awards Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of Travel Awards for the 2023 VRA Conference in San Antonio, TX. The application pool this year was strong, and we are pleased to be able to fund nine excellent applications:
John Adebayo, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee – New Horizons Student Award and Luraine Tansey/VRA top-up Award
Sarah Byrd, Fashion Institute of Technology – New Horizons Award and Luraine Tansey/VRA Top-up Award
Johana Canales, University of Alabama – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Award
Charlie Coffey, Wesleyan University - Luraine Tansey/VRA Travel Award
Allie Craver, Pérez Art Museum Miami – Luraine Tansey/VRA Travel Award
Rachel DeNagy, University of Colorado, Boulder – Garneta E. Taormina Memorial Student Award and Luraine Tansey/VRA Top-up Award
Matt Ely, North Dakota State Archives – New Horizons Award
Elisabeth Narkin, National Gallery of Art - Kathe Hicks Albrecht Award
Wen Nie Ng, Virgina Tech - Luraine Tansey/VRA Travel Award
The Travel Awards Committee thanks all of this year’s applicants. Additional thanks go to our generous travel award sponsors and the VRA Executive Board for their support of the Travel Awards Committee.
Congratulations again to this year’s recipients,
Dr. Jeannine Keefer,
Chair, Travel Awards Committee
VRA Awards Deadline Extended to Aug 14th!
Due to popular demand, the VRA Awards Committee is extending the deadline for the 2023 DSA and NDL award nominations to Monday, August 14th (extended from August 10th). With the conference approaching, we can't push it back more, but hope this is helpful to those who are working so hard to gather letters of support and bring nominations together.
Nominations should be sent to vra.awards@gmail.com and the extended information about the awards is below. The Awards Committee is here to support your efforts or answer any questions.
Your efforts are much appreciated,
Maureen Burns, Chair
VRA Awards Committee
The VRA Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the 2023 Distinguished Service Award and the Nancy DeLaurier Award.
The VRA Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has made an outstanding career contribution to the field of visual resources and image management. Nominees must have achieved a level of distinction in the field either through leadership, research, or service to the profession. Nominees can also be considered for outstanding innovation, participation, or project management in visual resources.
The Nancy DeLaurier Award honors a single professional or a group of professionals for distinguished achievement in the field of visual resources. “Achievement” is measured by immediate impact, and may take the form of published works, oral presentations, digital humanities projects, open source solutions, software development, technology applications, website creations, or other outstanding efforts.
We encourage the VRA membership to consider the people and the tools that have made an impact on your work in visual resources: research, presentations, projects, publications, tools, technologies, and any other outstanding efforts.
For inspiration, the recent, past recipients for the Distinguished Service Award are:
Jolene de Verges in 2022
Marcia Focht in 2021
Robb Detlefs in 2019
Recent Nancy Delaurier Award winners and projects are as follows:
2022
Lael Ensor-Bennett and Kendra Werst for exceptional leadership on the Equitable Action Committee and for founding the innovative and inclusive Community Hour Discussion Series
Asfaneh Najmabadi for founding, guiding, developing, and sustaining the Women’s Worlds in Qajar Iran (WWQI) Digital Archive.
2021
Anna Bernhard and Heather Lowe for establishing and sustaining the Visual Resources Association’s Emerging Professionals and Students Group (VREPS).
Whom would you like to recognize for a specific contribution to our field? Please consider nominating a worthy colleague or specific achievement for these prestigious awards. Detailed information is available at: https://www.vraweb.org/awards. The Awards Committee is here to support your efforts or answer any questions.
Nominations should be submitted to the Awards Committee at vra.awards@gmail.com in the form of a dossier (all combined into one PDF). This dossier must include:
The nominee’s curriculum vitae
A cover letter of nomination describing how the nominee meets the criteria, written by the nominator(s)
Letters written in support of the nomination
Documentation in support of the nomination, if applicable
Electronic nominations via e-mail or a file hosting service such as Google Drive are preferred. Members of the VRA Awards Committee, upon reviewing submitted dossiers, make recommendations that are subject to approval by the VRA Executive Board.
The nomination letters and letters of support for the 2023 Distinguished Service Award and the 2023 Nancy DeLaurier Award are now due by Monday, August 14, 2023 (extended from Aug 10) and should be sent to: vra.awards@gmail.com.
Please contact Maureen Burns (moaburns@gmail.com) or any member of the Awards Committee if questions arise: Sarah Beck, Linda Callahan, Dawn Feavyour, Marcia Focht, Ann McShane, Summer Shetenhelm or Margaret Webster. We would be very happy to help with your ideas and the processes.
Notes:
Recommendations from the Awards Committee are subject to approval by the VRA Executive Board.
Current members of the VRA Awards Committee or the Executive Board should not write in support of nominations, nor should they be included in nominations.
Self-nominations are not accepted at this time.
VRA 2023: Keynote Speaker Melissa Gohlke
The VRA Executive Board is pleased to announce the VRA 2023 Conference keynote speaker, Melissa Gohlke.
The VRA Executive Board is pleased to announce the VRA 2023 Conference keynote speaker, Melissa Gohlke. Gohlke is an urban historian who specializes in San Antonio LGBTQ+ history. For over a decade, Gohlke has been researching queer history in San Antonio and South Texas and sharing her passion for this history through extensive outreach activities such as presentations, media interactions, exhibits, and written work. Gohlke is the Assistant Archivist for UTSA Libraries Special Collections.
In her presentation, titled “Cradle of Texas Gay Liberty: An Alternate History of the Alamo City,” Gohlke will explore hidden threads of San Antonio’s history and stitch together an alternative interpretation of the city’s historical narrative by examining a wealth of primary sources found in archives and personal collections. You can read more about her topic below. The Convocation Keynote is scheduled for September 26th, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. CDT, and will be open to the public via a YouTube livestream at this link: LINK TO STREAM. Please share widely!
Gay Paree Program, LGBTQ Ephemera, UTSA Special Collections
***
Cradle of Texas Gay Liberty: An Alternate History of the Alamo City
A historical record that focuses only on white, heteronormative society and events obscures many facets of San Antonio history. Peel back the veneer of normalcy and one can find rich, diverse, and unexpected strands of the city’s past. From female impersonators of the early 1900s to queer life in derelict spaces during the 1960s and finally, gay and lesbian bar culture of the1970s and beyond, the hidden threads of San Antonio’s history reveal themselves.
Lesbian prom. Lollie Johnson Papers, UTSA Special Collections
In this presentation, LGBTQ Historian Melissa Gohlke guides us on a virtual tour of the hidden history of San Antonio. We explore a subculture of people who pursued a gender bending lifestyle at the turn of the 20th century often amidst the prostitutes who plied their trade in the city’s infamous Red Light District. Vaudeville theaters and downtown cabarets provided venues in which middle and upper class women dominated the audiences. Fascination with gender transgressive performances made its way into elite affairs and fundraisers as affluent women took lessons learned at entertainment halls and appropriated them for their own purposes.
While gender bending displays were popular on the stages of local nightspots, exhibiting such displays outside a theatrical setting met with a different response. Gender transgression in public places was strictly forbidden. Police quickly snapped up and incarcerated men traipsing around in female attire on the sidewalks of San Antonio.
Jimmy James as Marilyn Monroe, performing at the Broadway Cabaret, 1982. Lollie Johnson Papers, UTSA Special Collections
Policing of sexual deviance and difference came not only from the city’s local police, but also from military police. Mediating social and sexual norms was viewed as pivotal for maintaining the physical and moral health of military personnel. Concerns over the spread of venereal disease among the troops underpinned these policing efforts. In the decades between the First and Second World Wars, local officials and military brass formalized mechanisms for surveillance over military personnel on the city’s streets.
Policing by military and local agents was a recurring threat to San Antonio’s emerging queer population. In the decades after WWII, gay and lesbian bars and gathering spots were under constant threat of police incursions. To avoid scrutiny, queer San Antonians selected havens in derelict places and country spaces that were off the radar of policing agencies. Within these spaces, they found social and sexual partners and laid the foundation for an emerging queer community. Over the decades, the city’s LGBTQ community has grown within and beyond spaces claimed by earlier generations. The area in and around San Antonio College emerged as visible queer turf and today is marked by gay bars, businesses, and gayborhoods where a rainbow crosswalk and Pride banners mark the area as safe and welcoming space for gay and trans San Antonians.
Lollie Johnson Papers, UTSA Special Collections
Abstract
A historical record that focuses on white, heteronormative society and events obscures many facets of San Antonio history. Peel back the veneer of normalcy and one can find rich, diverse, and unexpected strands of the city’s past. From female impersonators of the early 1900s to queer life in derelict spaces during the 1960s and finally, gay and lesbian bar culture of the1970s and beyond, the hidden threads of San Antonio’s history reveal themselves. In this presentation, LGBTQ Historian Melissa Gohlke explores these hidden histories and stitches together an alternative interpretation of the city’s historical narrative by examining a wealth of primary sources found in archives and personal collections.
VRA Board Appointments: President-Elect and Junior Director for Events and Initiatives
The VRA Executive Board is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Board members. Please join us in welcoming these incoming Board members and applauding their contributions to our community!
The VRA Executive Board is pleased to announce the appointment of two new Board members. The appointments were approved by the Board last week following an interview process during which multiple candidates were considered for each role. The Board would like to thank everyone who participated in the new process. We found ourselves inspired by the candidates’ commitment to the organization and the visions for the VRA’s future that they shared with us.
Please join us in welcoming these incoming Board members and applauding their contributions to our community!
VRA President-Elect Xiaoli Ma
Xiaoli Ma has been appointed President-Elect. She will serve as President-Elect until March 2024, at which time she will become President and serve in that role until March 2026.
Xiaoli is the Metadata Librarian and Head of the Metadata Unit at the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida. She develops metadata guidelines and implements workflows to enhance the usability and searchability of the content held by large-scale digital libraries. Currently, she explores the use of AI technology to automate the subject-indexing process. She studied Information Science, Art History, and American Literature at the University of Michigan, the University of South Florida, and Sichuan University, mainland China. Previously, she worked at ITHAKA as Metadata Specialist – Technical Lead, collaborating with developers and interface designers to create tools for Shared Shelf, now known as JSTOR Forum.
Xiaoli has been an active member of the VRA since around 2005, when she started as an Art History graduate assistant working in her department’s slide library. The VRA listserv became her go-to resource, providing guidance on essential aspects of her work, such as cataloging systems and scanner selections. Many of the mentors who helped shape her career path were once leaders in the VRA community. Xiaoli has served terms as Co-chair of the Core Oversight Committee and Co-chair of the Cataloging and Metadata Standards Committee. Most recently, she organized and led the VRA Core Element Description English to Chinese translation project, an experience she wrote about for the Spring/Summer 2023 issue of the VRA Bulletin.
Junior Director for Events and Initiatives Maria Nuccilli
Maria Nuccilli has been appointed Junior Director for Events and Initiatives. She will serve as Junior Director until March 2024, at which time she will become Senior Director for Events and Initiatives and serve in that role until March 2025.
Maria is Digital Collections Librarian II in the Wayne State University Library System, where she supports the access and discovery of digital collections across units by developing and maintaining user interfaces, identifying potential collection additions and collaborators, and managing projects such as a recent migration of 50,000 images to CONTENTdm from a Fedora-based legacy system. She studied Library and Information Science, Information Management, and English at Wayne State University. Outside of her work in Information Science, Maria is a professional musician and band manager, planning national and regional tours, collaborating with agencies on promotional campaigns, and negotiating booking and licensing contracts.
Maria joined the VRA in 2017, during her MLIS studies. That year she won the Internship Award, proposing an internship project to assess and create a digitization plan and interactive virtual exhibition for a collection of images and other materials relating to Detroit’s cultural heritage owned by the Scarab Club, a non-profit dedicated to the cultivation and celebration of the visual, literary, and performing arts in Detroit. She is currently serving as Secretary/Treasurer for the VRA’s Great Lakes chapter.
EAC July 2023 Community Hour Notes
Thank you to all who joined us for a great Community Hour. We had a solid discussion of the article: "'Nice White Meetings:' Unpacking Absurd Library Bureaucracy through a Critical Race Theory Lens".
Couldn't make it? Check out the Community Hour Doc for a summary of our discussion.
Mark your calendars for the next Equitable Action Committee offering, our Community Hour on Wednesday August 16th at 3 PM EDT.
It's VRA Awards Season! Call for Nominations 🥇
The VRA Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the 2023 Distinguished Service Award and the Nancy DeLaurier Award.
1) The VRA Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has made an outstanding career contribution to the field of visual resources and image management. Nominees must have achieved a level of distinction in the field either through leadership, research, or service to the profession. Nominees can also be considered for outstanding innovation, participation, or project management in visual resources.
2) The Nancy DeLaurier Award honors a single professional or a group of professionals for distinguished achievement in the field of visual resources. “Achievement” is measured by immediate impact, and may take the form of published works, oral presentations, digital humanities projects, open-source solutions, software development, technology applications, website creations, or other outstanding efforts.
We encourage the VRA membership to consider the people and the tools that have made an impact on your work in visual resources: research, presentations, projects, publications, tools, technologies, and any other outstanding efforts.
For inspiration, the recent, past recipients for the Distinguished Service Award are:
Jolene de Verges in 2022
Marcia Focht in 2021
Robb Detlefs in 2019
Recent Nancy Delaurier Award winners and projects are as follows:
2022
Lael Ensor-Bennett and Kendra Werst for exceptional leadership on the Equitable Action Committee and for founding the innovative and inclusive Community Hour Discussion Series
Asfaneh Najmabadi for founding, guiding, developing, and sustaining the Women’s Worlds in Qajar Iran (WWQI) Digital Archive
2021
Anna Bernhard and Heather Lowe for establishing and sustaining the Visual Resources Association’s Emerging Professionals and Students Group (VREPS)
Whom would you like to recognize for a specific contribution to our field? Please consider nominating a worthy colleague or specific achievement for these prestigious awards.
How to apply:
Detailed information is available at: https://www.vraweb.org/awards. The Awards Committee is here to support your efforts or answer any questions. Nominations should be submitted to the Awards Committee at vra.awards@gmail.com in the form of a dossier (all combined into one PDF). This dossier must include:
The nominee’s curriculum vitae
A cover letter of nomination describing how the nominee meets the criteria, written by the nominator(s)
Letters written in support of the nomination
Documentation in support of the nomination, if applicable
Electronic nominations via e-mail or a file hosting service such as Google Drive are preferred. Members of the VRA Awards Committee, upon reviewing submitted dossiers, make recommendations that are subject to approval by the VRA Executive Board.
The nomination letters and letters of support for the 2023 Distinguished Service Award and the 2023 Nancy DeLaurier Award are due by Thursday, August 10, 2023 and should be sent to: vra.awards@gmail.com.
Please contact Maureen Burns (moaburns@gmail.com) or any member of the Awards Committee if questions arise: Sarah Beck, Linda Callahan, Dawn Feavyour, Marcia Focht, Ann McShane, Summer Shetenhelm or Margaret Webster. We would be very happy to help with your ideas and the processes.
Notes:
Recommendations from the Awards Committee are subject to approval by the VRA Executive Board.
Current members of the VRA Awards Committee or the Executive Board should not write in support of nominations, nor should they be included in nominations.
Self-nominations are not accepted at this time.