Research tools in Visual Arts

 

"Do your homework". This is a known expression to investors. Before acquiring shares of a stock, you will inquire.   The same is true in the visual arts. 

If generic tools like Google and the like are known to all and relatively effective, there is a variety of resources known and use by specialists that you can have access to with minimal effort on your part.

How to do it?

  • First, specify your needs and related sources.

Academic researchers are familiar with the use of guides that identify by type tools available in their discipline.

Looking for information on a particular artist?   You wish to see articles critical of such an artist or exhibition?  Consult specific definitions? The guides are your sources to consult.

Some examples of guides available online that will help you.

Getty Research Institute

Harvard University

Stanford University

McGill University

Oxford

Université Laval

University of Toronto

UQAM

University of British Columbia

 

  • Thereafter, access the resources.

Two ways:

  • Going to the nearest University Library.

Today, most university libraries give access to a pool of online resources relatively similar. Even if you're not a member (student, teacher, researcher, alumni, etc..) of a given university community, you have access to these resources by going on site. You get the status of "walking user" and, as such, you can have access on site to almost all the available resources.

NB: do not forget your USB key!  The impression of what you can discover can be quickly quite expensive.

  • Accessing the available resources online from your home to the extent that you have the necessary access rights.

If you belong to any academic community, no problems.

In addition, many public libraries or other entities have negotiated with their information suppliers agreements largely similar to those entered into by universities. This is the case in Quebec with BAnQ (Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec). This is probably also the case for other provinces, states or cities in North America and Europe.

In any cases, contact your public library staff who will guide you through the process of accession.

Texts of Interest:

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