Fine Arts

Purpose: The collection supports undergraduate programs in studio practice, art history, visual culture, photography, and digital media leading to the Fine Arts minor, the B.A. in Fine Arts, the BFA degree, and the MFA degree in applied and fine art. Collection resources must meet the research needs of department faculty and general, non-elective, undergraduate and graduate education. The interdisciplinary nature of art resources and their use for teaching or research purposes by other departments should be emphasized. Departments utilizing this collection, in addition to the Department of Fine Arts, include Architecture; the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles (AMDT); History; Anthropology; Foreign Languages and Literature; Honors Program; General Education; Museum of Art; Program in Comparative Ethnic Studies; and the Museum of Anthropology. Resources should also allow collaboration with the School of Education in art education for primary and secondary teaching levels.

1. Languages: English is the primary language. There is no limitation of language when illustrative material is more important than text.
2. Chronological Guidelines: No limitations. Current research and interpretations are emphasized. Retrospective purchasing is selective.
3. Geographical Guidelines: Art and visual culture of all countries and all time periods is collected to develop broad historical and cultural perspectives. The diversity of visual art in various countries and cultures is emphasized.
4. Treatment of Subject: Although scholarly treatments of a subject are emphasized, there is some variation in what is needed for Art History, Studio Art, and applied arts.
5. Types of Materials: Most materials acquired will be in the form of books and periodicals, although films are purchased selectively. Special kinds of art materials collected include: Catalogues Raisonnés; catalogs of museums, exhibitions and galleries; annual reports of museums; and museum and gallery guides. Electronic resources (defined as material accessible through the WSU Libraries, and requiring the use of computers for access), are purchased selectively. Some interpretive and historical works such as biographies and correspondence are purchased selectively, as are films. Types of materials excluded are photographic transparencies and original works of art.
6. Date of Publication: Current research and interpretations are preferred, especially when illustrative material is important. Because reproductive techniques continually improve, it is necessary to purchase new materials on artists already represented in the collection. Retrospective purchases are selective.
7. Other General Considerations: Access to resources is augmented through the Orbis Cascade Alliance and interlibrary loan. More primary and secondary works on photography should be acquired, including selected retrospective works. The collection serves as the chief scholarly reference resource for the WSU Museum of Art. Enhanced access to illustrative material is provided through the recent acquisition of Early English Books Online (EEBO).