Located at 206 Lasserre, the Visual Resources Centre (VRC) provides valuable resources and research support to Art History (ARTH), Visual Art (VISA), and Critical & Curatorial Studies (CCST). The VRC is responsible for maintaining the department’s collections and archives in analogue and digital formats.
Collections
The department’s Visual Resource Collection contains over 450,000 holdings including:
- Arts Digital Collections Database PIX
- The AHVA Archives of analogue and digital holdings, including catalogues, programmes, and ephemera from exhibitions and departmental events including selected recordings of the Distinguished Visiting Artist, Binning Memorial, Joan Carlisle-Irving and Koerner Artist in Residence lecture series
- The department’s historic slide collection of over 60,000 35mm photographic slides
- The AHVA Art Collection
- The Print Media Research Centre Collection of prints of over 1000 works by AHVA students and established artists
- A browsable reference library of books and films related to Art History and the Visual Arts, and publications by faculty and staff.
For questions about the Collection and to access these holdings, please contact the Curator of Collections, Yasmin Amaratunga, yasmin.amaratunga@ubc.ca and Curatorial Assistant, Brandon Leung, brandon.leung@ubc.ca.
Research and Pedagogical Support
As a vital teaching and research facility, we strive for pedagogic innovation in the fields of Art History, Visual Arts, Critical and Curatorial Studies, and Collections Management. We offer research support to students, faculty, and staff in various ways, including:
- “Art History How-to” undergraduate workshops
- Librarian and Curator office hours and drop-in research clinics
- TA Training and TA office hours workspace
- Testing and evaluating the application and functionality of digital humanities tools for exhibits, collection management, reference and image management
- Grant applications advising, including SSHRC Insight, Partnership grants, and MITACS
- Digitization of images and research materials
- Advising on image requisition, research and sourcing of visual media, including copyright best practice
- Facilitating applied art history research that activates artworks and collections
- Advising on Collections Management and Archival best practice
Facilities
The VRC also serves as the community hub for the department. It is an open-plan space for faculty, students, and staff with areas that can be reserved for office hours, workshops, working group meetings, and film screenings. Available spaces include:
- 12-person private screening room
- 10-person meeting table
- 2-person meeting table
- 1-person hot desk
- 1-person private Zoom room
- 1-person quiet study space
Bookable spaces can be reserved through the VRC’s online booking system. To book the screening room (LASR 206D), please contact the VRC (ahva.vrc@ubc.ca) to secure a time.
Equipment
The Visual Resources Collection (VRC) has AV equipment available to loan for research and classroom use, via the VRC’s online booking system. The following equipment are available to reserve in the VRC:
- Computer equipment (e.g., laptops, dongles, cables, etc.)
- Overhead book scanner
- Flatbed scanners
- 360-degree conference camera
- Slide and film projectors
Access
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Contact
Visual Resources Centre
6333 Memorial Road, Lasserre Room 206
Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
(604) 822-3802
ahva.vrc@ubc.ca