Open Access and the Future of Art Scholarship

Watkins, Alexander (2015). “Open access and the future of art scholarship.” Art Libraries Journal, 40(4), pp. 4-7. 

This article points to how art scholarship is falling behind when it comes to taking it part open access initiatives, as opposed to other fields of research (i.e., medical). Watkins points to “persuasive arguments” promoted by the medical research field to push for more open access, mainly the high cost of medical journals and the fact that a large portion of medical research is publicly funded (which is in contrast to art scholarship). Watkins further argues that toll-access (traditional paid publication model) creates barriers between “privileged Western academics” and the rest of the world. Trends show that Western art scholarship is increasingly focusing on non-Western art. However, those very papers are unavailable in the “very cultures [those papers are] about,” limiting transcultural discourse. He points to librarians as essential in promoting open access resources in libraries, and that budgetary concerns should not be the only reason for advocacy. Watkins states, “Open access is key to creating a globally integrated community of art scholars and re-engaging the public in art discourse,” showing the importance of providing access to open resources, especially as it relates to connection development opportunities and creating more OERs that are art focused.