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Art Museum of West Virginia University (WVU)
Morgantown, WV
The Art Museum of West Virginia University (WVU) paired its Museums Supporting Literacy initiative with the “Radiant Pages: The Art of the Book” exhibition, offering hands-on workshops in papermaking, bookbinding, and zine-making. Led by experts and trained WVU students, the workshops incorporated therapeutic and preservation techniques. Activities were tailored for different age groups—with simpler formats for younger students and more advanced bookbinding for older ones—and took place at schools, libraries, and other community locations. Participants were able to keep their completed projects as souvenirs.
WVU staff hoped to reach 300 participants from local public schools and the public.
By bringing artmaking to the community, the museum was successful in offering its first-ever bookbinding and papermaking workshops, reaching 295 people.
Museums should consider shifting some of their focus from attracting visitors to their galleries to actively engaging communities where they are. Building relationships outside the museum through outreach and collaborative programming can foster trust and interest. Prioritizing community presence first can lay the groundwork for deeper, more inclusive collaboration.
The "Fresh Film Series," which activated a Partner Loan Network loan of 15 Art Bridges artworks, featured curated film screenings by writer and critic Carlos Valladares that explored connections between contemporary film and art. The series culminated in a community film festival, public lecture, and printed booklet.
A series of public programs featured the work of artist Alfred Conteh.
During this workshop, middle and high school students engaged with artist Guillermo Galindo in experimental sound techniques and screen printing.
The "Fresh Film Series," which activated a Partner Loan Network loan of 15 Art Bridges artworks, featured curated film screenings by writer and critic Carlos Valladares that explored connections between contemporary film and art. The series culminated in a community film festival, public lecture, and printed booklet.
A series of public programs featured the work of artist Alfred Conteh.
During this workshop, middle and high school students engaged with artist Guillermo Galindo in experimental sound techniques and screen printing.