MFAST - Studio Art (Low-Residency MFA)

Here is a research guide for the Studio Art Low-Residency MFA (MFAST). Get in touch with Kathy Cowan (liaison librarian) with questions or to arrange one-on-one research consultation via phone, email, or video.

Image from Delivery of Color (2015) by Ashley Lohr, MFAST Thesis

Use the Decker Library catalog to find:

• Books
• Videos
• eBooks
• Journal articles
• and many other resources!
• SEARCH ANYTHING

Information Literacy (video)
This video on In Learning gives an excellent overview of the research process in an art and design context. Sections include:

Types of Resources | Search Strategies | Resource Evaluation | Ethical Use of Information | Citation

Chicago-Style Citation

• Quick guide for citations
• How to caption/give attribution for works of art

Interlibrary Loan
Decker Library's Interlibrary Loan form is here

• Interlibrary Loan is a quick way to receive:
  • Journal articles: request the article by providing the full citation
  • Book chapters: request the book and specify the portion needed. Ways to scope out the contents of specific books include: Find the title in Google Books where the Table of Contents may be included in a preview; Find the book on Amazon where you can download a sample of the Kindle edition, including a Table of Contents.
• Electronic materials will be sent to you by email
• Physical books can be borrowed for people who are able to pick up and return them at Decker Library
• We are not able to borrow eBooks on Interlibrary Loan
• Contact our super Interlibrary Loan staff directly at ill@mica.edu

Evaluating Sources

Resource Evaluation (Section 3 of the Information Literacy video) covers these topics in 20 minutes:
Beyond Google | The Web vs. Databases | Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
Criteria for Evaluating Information | Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Writing About Contemporary Art | Hardcopy or Online | Where to Find

• Decker Library catalog includes books, circulating DVDs and streaming videos
• Decker Library's subscription databases are a good starting point:
  • Art & Architecture Source -  Art writing back to 1929, much full text, scholarly and popular writing, eBooks
  • JSTOR - Journals from art and humanities journals and many other disciplines. All scholarly, all full text. Will not include the most recent 3-5 years.
  • National Newspapers - Includes New York Times, Washington Post, Baltimore Sun in full text, back to the late 20th century.
  • ... more here ...

Selected Books on Art Writing