11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
The Library as Incubator Project team present stories of artists who use libraries of all types to inspire, showcase, and otherwise “incubate” their creative work. Some examples are from their book, The Artist’s Library, while others are more recent additions to the project’s website. They show examples of people who use the library as a space for doing or sharing their creative work, use the library as an inspiration or starting point for their work, and use the library as a way to do research for a specific creative project. They discuss practical ways to promote the library as a place to get inspired and creative, through programming and other services and resources for artist-patrons. They share specific program ideas to help users get creative in the library, examples of effective partnerships that lead to strong arts, including artist in residence programs, and how to tie art-making and creative programs to the library’s existing collection.
