Art Lending Program
NEW: Search the Library Catalogue for all of the artworks in our Art Lending Program - you can place a hold for a painting or print.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
"We recognize the importance of multiple literacies: it is as important to understand the beauty of a musical phrase or the composition of a drawing as it is to learn how to read or compute numbers. We believe that each person in our community can appreciate and understand paintings, prints, drawings - not just members of cultural, educational or social elites" from MANIFESTO OF THE Art Lending Program, Red Deer Public Library, 2005
"The bottom line is looking, looking, and more looking. Looking will transform a totally untrained person with a keen mind and good vision...into a superior art expert. And the beauty is that anyone can do it with a little obsession and a little time." Thomas Hoving, Former Director, Metropolitan Museum of Art | | VISUAL LITERACY AND ART APPRECIATION Art Lending Libraries or artotheken are well established in Germany where you can borrow a Picasso, Miro, Dali or Warhol with your library membership at the Berlin Mitte Arthotek or from one of the 139 other publicly funded libraries. Municipal governments in Germany and other European cities are committed to supporting visual literacy |
THE COLLECTION
The collection consists of original, framed artworks in a variety of two dimensional media. A Library appointed Jury reviews submissions made by local emerging and established visual artists and selects pieces in accordance with the library materials budget and collection development policy. The inaugural collection of 42 pieces by student artists was seeded from a portion of the Cultural Capitals of Canada grant received by the City of Red Deer. The library is committed to nurturing and supporting local artists by purchasing and disseminating their art through this lending service. Each artwork is professionally framed and ready to hang in your home or office.
DTHR Kaleidoscope Arts and Wellness Program
HOSPITAL PARTNERSHIP
Fifty artworks are on loan to Unit 31of the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Volunteers meet with patients and family members to select an artwork to display at the bedside.
Volunteers receive an overview of art techniques and tools used to produce the various pieces and ways to engage patients in informal discussions about art.
| We are proud to be a part of the DTHR Kaleidoscope Arts and Wellness Program which recognizes the importance of art in the healing process and as an integral part of patient care, fostering creative expression for all ages coping with illness or injury in a hospital setting. Cynthia Belanger |
BORROWING
Artworks may be borrowed for a period of three months by members with an Individual or Corporate Library Membership. Due to the small size of the collection members may borrow a maximum of two pieces. You can place a reserve on an artwork in the same way you would reserve a book.
SEARCHING THE LIBRARY CATALOGUE
Each artwork receives a library catalogue record including a digitized thumbnail photo. Pieces are accessible by doing an Author (artist) search, Title search or Subject search (use "Art Lending Program" to generate a complete list). Artworks can also be searched by entering the medium as the subject eg. Linocut, Drawing, Print etc. You may also browse the collection by looking at the Art Lending Program Binder available at the Readers' Services Desk on Level 2.
DONATIONS
Unsolicited donations are not accepted. The library will announce "Calls to Artists" when the collection is expanding. Pieces may then be submitted for the Jury review process as outlined by the library in the official Call.
"Looking at a painting in a museum is different from living with it. Art is like with everything in life - it's something you can practice and learn how to live with. One has to learn that art isn't at a higher level than other things - it's important, but it's not sacred, and everybody can have access to it." Heide Bayat, Director | "I am very excited about Red Deer Public Library's new Art Lending Program. This project draws on the talents of Red Deer's visual arts community offering artworks on loan at no cost. This is unique in North America." Paul Leathers, | | "The dissemination of the arts brings social and economic benefits to our society: art in people's homes will enhance wellness." from MANIFESTO OF THE ART LENDING PROGRAM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information about the Art Lending Program you are welcome to contact:
Cynthia Belanger
Adult Services Librarian/Curator
Red Deer Public Library
4818 49 Street
Red Deer, AB
T4N 1T9
TEL 403.342.9104
EMAIL cbelanger [at] rdpl [dot] org