Dear Members,
I write you after an intensive, but highly productive mid-year board
meeting, held in New York last month. Highlights included meeting in the
fabulous Metropolitan Museum of Art and a field trip to the farthest
reaches of Brooklyn. Not to mention some business.
There is a Chinese curse said to translate to “May you live in
interesting times”. We do, indeed, live in interesting times. All around
us not-for-profit organizations, especially, are feeling the need to
trim staff and reduce programs and support. We have seen jobs lost,
travel funding cut, libraries threatened with closure. I recognize that
there is a desire to have ARLIS/NA, as an international organization,
speak up. Where this can be effective and where it is appropriate, the
board has done this. For example, earlier this year I signed on behalf
of the board a petition circulated by the College Art Association to
“reaffirm the integrity and value of university and college museums”, in
response to the selling off of university art museum collections as well
as one stressing the importance of resources such as the BHA
(Bibliography of the History of Art). And a letter decrying the
abandonment of print journals in favor of insufficient electronic
replacements is in process. At the same time, it is not the case that
the board can, or should, try to intercede in the decisions of every
institution making difficult choices, regardless of how we might
personally feel. Indeed, we are rarely in the position of having
sufficient information to be meaningful participants in the dialogue.
We are, however, doing what we can to ease the pain of our current
economic conditions. For one thing, neither membership nor conference
registration rates will be changed this year. In fact, registration
rates for our annual conference have remained where they are for quite a
few years now. In addition, we will be offering discount conference
registration and annual membership rates for any unemployed members. We
hope that the job postings and the networking opportunities during
international and local conferences can supply some measure of help. At
least a couple of our local chapters are offering complementary
memberships for the unemployed.
And speaking of annual conferences … Boston promises to be truly
revolutionary. Members responded thunderously to the new call for papers
and I believe we are offering one of the best programs we have had. And
Boston itself will supply us with great food, wonderful art museums, and
perhaps even decent weather. While we recognize that the lodging costs
are not insignificant, we do urge you to take advantage of the unchanged
registration costs and join us in Boston. We plan to offer free food at
the convocation reception, exhibits hall party, Membership meeting
luncheon and four free coffee breaks, so you won’t be hungry.
Finally, please let me or any other board members know of any questions
or concerns you have regarding ARLIS/NA. We are your board, and we are
working for you.
Sincerely,
Amy Lucker
President, ARLIS/NA
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Amy Lucker
Library Director
Institute of Fine Arts
New York University
1 East 78th Street
New York, NY 10075
/and/
Acting Director
Technical Services Department
New York University Division of Libraries
20 Cooper Square, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10003
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(212) 992-5826
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