International Relations Committee

Committee Charge

The ARLIS/NA International Relations Committee (IRC) will support the Society’s strong commitment to international dialogue and collaboration by pursuing relationships with art information professionals and institutions outside of North America. This collaborative effort supports the Society as the leading North American organization in the arts information field, while fostering the free exchange of ideas with international colleagues. The IRC will encourage affiliation with compatible professional associations and promote international engagement around issues of concern to the art information community. The IRC will also work to establish greater collaboration within North America, including the Society’s members in Canada, Mexico and the United States, to support the Society's role in representing art information professionals across the continent. The IRC will actively encourage within the Society the values of inclusiveness, collaboration, social and intellectual diversity, and openness to international perspectives.

Committee Programs and Resources

ARLIS/NA-Getty International Program

Thanks to the generosity of The Getty Foundation, the Art Libraries Society of North America has received support for an initiative that promotes the international exchange of ideas and information among art librarians. Past grants have supported bringing Latin American and Eastern European art information professionals together with ARLIS/NA members to share knowledge and expertise, to discuss the future of art historical literature, to advance shared solutions to the concerns of the digital age, and to imagine together initiatives that further inter‐cultural exchange and collaborative projects.

Samuel H. Kress Foundation Award for International Exchange

Thanks to the generosity of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, the Art Libraries Society of North America offers an annual program to help fund international travel and promote the exchange of ideas and information among art librarians. Exceptional art information professionals will receive awards to attend conferences, thereby fostering communication and developing connections with international projects and initiatives. The Kress Foundation supports two kinds of awards: one for European librarians and art information professionals to attend the annual ARLIS/NA conference and another for ARLIS/NA members to attend a European art library conference.

Study Tours

To learn more about ARLIS/NA Study Tours, visit the Study Tours page.

Affiliations and Related Organizations

Conference Papers

IFLA 2008: Art Libraries Section, United States National Report
IFLA 1997: Copenhagen
ARLIS/UK & Ireland 1997: Canterbury
IFLA 1988: Amsterdam