(Seeing and) Being Seen.

The 2024 ARLIS/ANZ Conference Being Seen is for Art Librarians + Information Professionals and those who collaborate with them!  The 2024 conference will be held in Sydney on the 28 - 29 November. Save the date!

In 2022 our virtual conference investigated adaptation in difficult circumstances. In 2024, we’re back in the building, coming together to reflect on the ways in which libraries, particularly art libraries, draw attention to their collections, collaborators and communities.  

Seeing is believing. But ways of seeing are in a rapidly evolving state. Art libraries are not just keepers of collections, but engines for seeing and being seen. 

Art libraries are gateways to visibility to artists and their practices, both traditional and bleeding edge. To materials and methodologies, far flung movements and local arts collectives. 

Art libraries are also adopters of new discovery systems, while rebuilding description systems that are culturally safe for seeing and being seen by all. 

Art librarians show us that looking is never as simple as it seems. An art library conference is a chance to make our work, our systems, our collections and our collaborators truly seen.  

 Call out 

This conference is open to all who engage with art + libraries. 

Do you have an exhibition space or in-library displays where you highlight local artists, parts of the collection or objects of interest? Perhaps your social media is where you are seen? Do you run outreach programs or educational interventions? What elements of your collection are seen or unseen, and how do artists see and use your libraries? 

Themes to consider: 

  • Art Librarian practice: exhibition spaces and collections. 

  • Art Librarian practice: visibility in student/ patron engagement, Information Literacy, interactive programs and learning.

  • Exploring bias: Who / What gets to be seen or collected and what remains unseen.  

  • Seeing like an Artist: art practice and creative outputs reflected in the library. 

  • Different way of seeing and publishing: zines, digital publications or book-as-exhibition. 

  • The unseen future:  technological shifts, future proofing profession, Artificial Intelligence and copyright. 

Topics might include: 

  • current projects, exhibitions or services,

  • future industry issues that you'd liked to pursue,  

  • a call out for expertise or collaborative partners 

  • anything else! 

What stories do you have to share? To ensure the program reflects what you are seeing, you are invited to submit an EOI (button below) for the following participant-driven sessions: 

  • Paper presentation: present 15–25-minute seminar presentation  

  • Lightning Talks: present a 5–10-minute talk showcasing a current project or challenge.  

  • Interactive workshops: Deliver a 30 or 60 minute hands-on workshop related to this year’s theme.

    Call out for program participation closes 9th Sept. 2024. Here is a TASTER OF WHAT TO EXPECT