Dennis Stevens, in our School of Art & Design, is interested in launching
an academic journal on crafts. I would appreciate it if those of you who
are interested in this topic could give him some feedback
Edith L. Crowe
Art & Humanities Librarian & Coordinator of Graduate Instruction
San Jose State University Library
http://www.sjlibrary.org
(408) 808-2037 | [log in to unmask]
----- Forwarded by Edith Crowe/SJSU on 11/04/2004 09:11 AM -----
Dennis Stevens <[log in to unmask]>
11/03/2004 03:30 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
cc:
Subject: Inquiry: Craft Studies Journal
Dear Edith:
As we discussed on the phone earlier today, I am presently in the process
of developing a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal for craft research and
education that is tentatively titled: The Vital Hand: Journal for Craft Studies. Although, I initially promised in our conversation to make this email
brief, I have just discovered that my question is a complicated one.
Therefore, please forgive my rambling and I hope that a few brave souls
from your list serve will dig into the project description and references
as detailed below and offer their professional opinions of and insight
into my present dilemma.
As mentioned above, this new journal will integrate aesthetic and
technical analysis of craft with an interdisciplinary perspective that
blends anthropological and sociological perspectives towards object making
in the twenty-first century. Contrary to the misnomer and confusion that
surrounds the word, the journal will define craft as follows:
"Craft as referring to the products of artistic production or creation that
require a high degree of skill or tacit knowledge, are highly technical,
require specialized equipment and/or facilities to produce, involve manual
labor or a "blue collar" work ethic, are accessible to the general public
and are constructed from materials with histories that exceed the
boundaries of western art history, such as ceramics, glass, textiles,
metal and wood." (source)
I am presently researching publication options for this journal which
include traditional format printing, on-demand printing, eJournal hosting
options as well as peer review software. Naturally, my distribution and
subscription model will have to align with the format that I chose as most
suitable for the audience. The two companies that I am presently
researching are: High Wire Press at Stanford and ScholarOne.
My present thinking is that both versions (print and on-line) will be
required to gain interest and readership but I am concerned about the
trending within libraries nationally towards cutting back on their journal
subscriptions.
Considering all of this information, I have a few questions for your list
serve group:
Given the present economic climate within libraries and considering the
findings of recent research on online journal publication such as the eJust Users Study, does a journal of this nature stand a better chance in obtaining library
subscriptions if the journal is offered as a print version or as an
on-line version? What is the likelihood of a journal of this nature
finding a niche for itself within academic library system? Is the
estimate of 500 library subscriptions nationally within five years at the
rate of approximately $50/ year reasonably obtainable?
For more information on this journal, please review the information
contained on my personal site at: www.redefiningcraft.com. You may review a draft on-line model for my eJournal format at : www.thevitalhand.com. Lastly, the origin of this idea and the five year revenue/expense
estimates are outlined in the following Proceedings document from the
Center for Craft, Creativity and Design: http://www.craftcreativitydesign.org/research/summit/2002/2002Proceedings.htm
I welcome feedback and comments from the group.
Regards,
Dennis
_____________________
Dennis Stevens
Ceramics & Glass Technician
San José State University
School of Art and Design
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0089
Tel: 408.924.4684
Fax: 408.924.4326
email: [log in to unmask]
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