Empowering Visual Artists through Digital and Data Literacy: A Community-Based Collaborative Approach to Developing Open Educational Resources for Visual Arts Centers

In an era where digital literacy is increasingly crucial for professional success, many visual artists find themselves in need of specialized resources to navigate the digital landscape. This presentation outlines a collaborative project between a librarian and a small-sized art center based in the Pacific Northwest, to develop and implement publicly available research and online publishing resources focused on enhancing digital and data information literacy skills for professional visual artists. The project stems from the art center's recognition of a gap in their ability to provide comprehensive digital literacy support to their teaching artists and artist community. By partnering with a digital librarian from a nearby university, the art center aims to address this need through tailored and freely available resources and workshops free to the public. The presenter discusses the multifaceted approach to assessing the digital and data literacy needs of professional artists and how they are addressed in crafting and offering supportive OERs. The presenter shares insights into the development process, highlighting the importance of creating materials that are both comprehensive and accessible to artists with varying levels of digital literacy. A unique aspect of this project is its potential for broader impact in the local community and surrounding small cities, towns, and rural communities, in addition to a wider academic community where the librarian resides. The presenter discusses how these community-oriented resources can be integrated into existing arts and humanities courses, such as those focusing on digital scholarship, information management, and entrepreneurialism. The presentation concludes with a discussion of expected outcomes, including improved digital literacy among professional artists, enhanced research capabilities, and increased confidence in navigating digital platforms for art promotion and sales. The presenter also touches on future directions for the project, including plans for outreach and promotion to the artist communities beyond those who participate in Maude Kerns Art Center's programming. This project represents a novel approach to addressing the digital literacy needs of professional artists through collaboration between cultural institutions and academic libraries. Attendees gain insights into the process of developing targeted OERs, fostering partnerships between diverse institutions, and addressing the unique digital literacy needs of creative professionals in the 21st century.