KU Libraries Exhibits Program

The Libraries Exhibits Program is a collaborative effort based on the understanding that all creative endeavors in the KU community are complemented and reinforced by the rich collections of the libraries. The program’s goal is to solicit exhibitions both internal and external to the libraries that highlight the strength of the libraries’ collections and promote the creative scholarship of our campus community. The Libraries Exhibits Program will work in partnership with other cultural venues on campus such as the Spencer Museum of Art, the School of Fine Arts, the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Commons, and others.

In 2009, the exhibition space on Watson Third Floor West was transformed into the Library Gallery, the main gallery space of the new Exhibits Program. The space holds four floor cases, one wall case, and one 58” flat panel plasma screen. The program will offer five main exhibitions per year in the main gallery: two exhibitions in the fall and spring semesters and one exhibition each summer. The Exhibits Program will follow the review and approval guidelines for submitted exhibit proposals as defined in the Exhibits Policy. A “satellite” exhibit case is located in the foyer of Anschutz Library. This case contains materials and information concerning the main exhibition in Watson Library.

Thanks go to the 2008/2009 Library Exhibits Committee members Sarah Goodwin Thiel (chair), Joel Cooper, Whitney Baker, Jon Giullian and Rebecca Smith of the KU Libraries and Jeremy Shellhorn, Graphic Arts professor in the School of Fine Arts, for their efforts in developing the Library Exhibits Program and for bringing to life the Library Gallery.