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Art Selection Policy
The Belgrade Community Library Board of Trustees is committed to promoting the visual and aesthetic enhancement of the Belgrade community through the selection of rotating exhibits of public art in the Library.
The Belgrade Community Library Art Committee (Art Committee) will be responsible for developing and implementing the review and selection process of all artwork within designated areas in the Library.
The Art Committee shall be appointed by the Library Board. The Art Committee shall consist of a minimum of three but not more than five members. Representation shall be from the following constituencies: Library Board of Trustees, Library staff, one community member, and one local artist. The Library Director will serve as ex-officio member.
Criteria for Selection & Display
The lead of the Art Committee (the Library staff committee member) keeps a file of artists they have interacted with through local events, social media, or in the Library. Twice a year minimum, and then as needed, they submit suggestions for the next series of art and artists to the rest of the Art Committee, along with links to the artist's website or social media pages for review. The Art Committee provides feedback to the library staff, and artists are scheduled for the following six months to one year period with these opinions kept in mind, based on their availability and interest.
Alternatively, artists can submit representative examples of the artwork to be considered for display to the Library's general email address. A website is an acceptable and preferred representation. The Art Committee will review the representative examples via email and provide their opinion of the artist and art in question. The Art Committee will respond to all artists who have submitted work within 60 days of their submission.
The Art Committee has the final authority for approving exhibits and reserves the right to deny any individual or group from displaying artwork. Art exhibits will be considered for display in terms of the criteria listed below, in no particular order. Exhibits are not required to meet all criteria.
- Consistent with the Belgrade Community Library Mission Statement
- Artistic merit and innovation
- Appropriateness of the artwork to the project/site in terms of scale, form, content, and materials
- Safety of the artwork (shall not harm the building or affect access or safety)
- Durability of artwork relative to theft, vandalism, and the environment
- Shall be appropriate for viewing by children
- Historical or regional relevance
- Relation to other events or exhibits in the community
- Ease of installation
- Educational value
The following conditions must be met for the display of artwork:
- The artist must sign an Exhibit Release.
- The artist is responsible for installing the exhibit, as well as transporting the artwork to and from the Library.
- All artwork must be ready to install in a manner appropriate to the medium.
- The artist is responsible for providing an artist statement for the exhibit and business cards with their contact information.
- When displayed, all items must be labeled with the artist's name, title of work, medium, and retail value.
- Library staff will provide the artist's business card to patrons interested in purchasing the displayed artwork.
- The exhibit will be available for viewing during the regular operating hours of the Library only.
Approved by the Board of Trustees: June 23, 2020
Reviewed by Library Staff: October 2021
Appendices:
- Exhibit Space Policy
- Exhibit Space Display Information
- Confirmation / Contract for Display
- Exhibit for Release
The Library provides exhibition space, to be determined by Library staff, for individuals and non-profit groups in order for them to promote their art, activities, history, cultural heritage, and/or current projects. The space may not be used in ways that demean groups or individuals.
The first floor of the Library and the upstairs community room are generally reserved for exhibitions of an artistic nature, or those sponsored or co-sponsored by Belgrade Community Library. The children's library is reserved for displays that are targeted towards children and are subject to the Youth Services Librarian's approval. The Library reserves the right to place limits on location, duration, and size of exhibits. Exhibitions do not imply endorsement by the Library.
The Library will take reasonable care to ensure the safety and security of items displayed; however, the Library does not assume responsibility in the event of loss, theft, or damage. Exhibitors are encouraged to insure items of value and will be required to sign an Exhibit Release form that releases the Library from responsibility for loss, damage, or destruction (see Appendix A).
All displays and exhibits will be organized in a manner consistent with the Library Bill of Rights and Interpretations, specifically Article 2, which states that, "Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues." No Library space is available for unsolicited exhibits, displays, petitions, or sale of items.
Display areas are accessible only when the Library is open and in view of staff. There is strong natural lighting for all display surfaces but not direct sunlight.
To assist in determining how many and which pieces of work to display, a detailed description of the hanging areas in the main section of the Library follows. The Library will not provide picture hangers or chains, but will provide a ladder, level, and hammer to assist in hanging art. Only the upper half of the walls is open for display. This is not an exhaustive list and the Library encourages the artist to visit the space in person before the time scheduled to place the artwork.
- One hanging area, approximately 46 inches wide, is behind a bank of computers, next to a large television.
- Behind the check-out desk and above the copy machine there are two 48-inch sections, in which standard picture hangers can be attached to the wall.
- Adjacent to the staff workroom there are two more areas:
- One 37 inches wide and the other 63 inches wide. This is a rose-colored "carpet" wall from which pieces may be hung with standard picture hangers.
- Above the drinking fountain and near the entrances to the restrooms there is a 70-inch space. Across from the circulation desk and next to the computers there are several spaces between windows that have an average of 20 inches of width available for art.
- At the beginning of the adult non-fiction section there is a 48-inch space available for art.
The Milesnick Meeting Room has extensive wall space and can be available for display space with approval from the Art Committee.
Hanging & Taking-down
Art will be hung as close to the first of the month as possible, in coordination with the lead of the Art Committee, during a time convenient for both the artist and at least one member of the Library staff. This time may be during Library open hours, and when available, will include a partial timeslot when the Library is closed to the public and patrons are not present.
Library Hours
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
10 am to 6 pm
Tuesday, Thursday
10 am to 7 pm
Saturday
10 am to 2 pm
Artist Reception
The Library would be pleased to host an artist reception during the display time frame, during normal Library hours. The artist is encouraged to add an interactive element to the artist reception, as that has been found to bring more people into the Library for the events. The Library will create promotional flyers for the reception, and encourages the artist to share these flyers with their followers and buyers. The Library will post notices in the newsletter and around the Library during the month before the event. The Library will provide water and coffee. Other food and beverage, if desired, would be provided by the artist. No alcohol is allowed in the Library. Please let the Library know at the time of signing the agreement if a reception will be planned.
Artist's Statement
Space will be provided for display of an artist's statement, biographical information, titles and price lists, etc. Business cards should be left either near the artist's statement, or at the circulation desk. If the artist does not have business cards, they will be asked to leave a phone number and email address that can be given to patrons interested in purchasing art, should the need arise.
Contact
Please contact the Library at 406-388-4346 or Adult Services Librarian Sarah Creech via email with any questions or concerns.
Art Selection Policy - Appendix C: Confirmation / Contract for Display
Art Selection Policy - Appendix D: Exhibit Release
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Library
Physical Address
106 N Broadway Avenue
Belgrade, MT 59714
Phone: 406-388-4346
Hours
Monday - Friday
10 am to 6 pmSaturday
10 am to 2 pm