Forbes Library has established a fund to acquire artwork by local and regional BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists. The fund was the result of a $10,000 anonymous donation with the express intent of supporting the library in its desire to diversify its permanent art collection. The fund was approved and doubled by the Trustees of Forbes Library earlier this year. A committee is in the process of identifying potential artists and hopes to begin acquiring by the end of the summer.
The library has had an art collection since its founding when benefactor Judge Forbes left part of his estate to the city for the establishment of a public library. In that will he specified, “It is my design to form a library of works of science and the arts in their broadest acceptation, of ancient and modern history, and of the literatures of our own and other nations…” The library’s permanent art collection contains over 100 pieces, many of which are on permanent display in the library. “We want our community to feel seen and represented in the artwork on our wall. This initiative is a wonderful opportunity to expand the collection to include works by BIPOC artists from our region,” said Russell Carrier, chair of the newly formed selection committee and President of the Trustees of Forbes Library. Carrier hopes that this fund will continue to increase through donations and allow the library to continue to diversify the collection into the future.
For more information about the fund and this initiative, reach out to the library director at director@forbeslibrary.org or 413-587-1016.