Manifesto

ART | library deco, “sweet as the moment when art went pop!” is an online African American virtual art library, documenting the visual experience of art and literature through the eyes of various artists and institutions in the United States and abroad. The virtual art library was established in May 2013, as a graduate student project at the University of North Texas by kYmberly Keeton, Founder and Chief Library Curator. Today, the virtual art library is a for-profit institution.

We are more than just a website. The methodology used to develop the virtual art library is in conjunction with Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums (GLAM) and refers to cultural institutions with a mission to provide access to knowledge. GLAMs collect and maintain cultural heritage materials in the public interest and preserve and make accessible primary sources valuable for researchers. As an open source collaboration the Black Galleries, Libraries, Archives, & Museums (BGLAM) practice emerged that defines ART | library as an independent glam institution.

The virtual art library features curated art news, exhibitions, collections, and original reporting. Moreover, students, faculty, and lifelong learners have access to an online comprehensive African American art lib-guide and virtual repository.  ART | library deco’s virtual repository space includes African American collections, archives, exhibitions, and memorabilia in research areas including history, nostalgia, artwork, photography and genealogy, and literature.

The virtual art library and repository is managed and distributed by NOVELLA MEDIA, LLC

ART | library deco is a member of the Association of African American Museums, American Library Association, Society of American Archivists, MCN-Museum Computer Network and Archive-it Cohort Partner, Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Creative Commons Open Glam Platform and the National Art Education Association.