[1]
From: Azar Rejaie <rejaieauhd.edu>
SECAC Session: Socially Engaged Art History

Session "Socially Engaged Art History"

Must art history be understood as the work of individual scholars
focused on the production of art historical writing for publication
aimedp rimarily, if not solely, at other scholars? Although this is
precisely how art history is generally produced, this panel encourages
instead the exploration of the practice of art history as a
collaborative and socially engaged process. While collaborative and
socially engaged artistic practices have received much attention in
recent years, an arguably parallel and growing art historical practice
has received little if any formal notice and even less study. Typically
produced within and between social groups over an extended period of
time, socially engaged art history seeks to engender a productive
dialogue regarding social or political issues and to foster resilient
and sustainable communities. Meaningful interactions with communities
might address topics such as difference, division, and inequality in
society. The current emphasis on undergraduate research as a high impact
practice and the benefits of service learning has provided numerous
opportunities for the development of collaborative and socially engaged
art history. By showcasing specific examples and results of art
historical projects that feature collaboration and social engagement,
this panel seeks to broaden our understanding of art historical
scholarship.

Session chairs: Cindy Persinger, California University of Pennsylvania,
and Azar Rejaie, University of Houston-Downtown.

Contact: persingercalu.edu