VRA 2022 Digital Art History session. Presenters: Melissa Becher and Samuel Sadow In 2019, the art history program at American University gave its masters students a new option for the capstone project that is the culmination of the degree: create a digital project on an art historical topic using Omeka S or Wordpress. Initially, only a single student chose to complete a digital capstone over a traditional thesis, but within two years there was near parity between the two options, meaning seven digital capstones for the 2021 cohort. To support these projects, a close partnership quickly developed between the University’s library, the visual resources center, and the archives. This session covers how three campus units coordinate that support for these innovative digital humanities projects, including administration of the platforms, instruction, technical support, preservation, and access to the final projects. The session will also showcase examples of student work to demonstrate the variety and creativity of projects that can be accomplished using these platforms, as well as their contributions to the field of art history. The outcome of this initiative is clear: the best of digital humanities, weaving design and technology with rigorous art historical research, and finished projects that have already resulted in successful job applications in the field.

1. Supporting Art History Students’
Digital Projects at American
University
Melissa Becher, Associate Director, Research, Teaching, and Learning, American University Library,
mbecher@american.edu
Samuel Sadow, Visual Resources Curator, Department of Art, American University, ssadow@american.edu
Digital Art History Panel
VRA Annual Conference
Baltimore, MD, March 29, 2022 10-11am

2. MA in Art History Digital Capstone Timeline:
2018: 1 Project (Omeka-S)
2019: 1 Project (Omeka-S)
2020: 3 Projects (All in EdSpace)
2021: 7 Projects (1 in Omeka-S, 6 in EdSpace)
2022: 7 Projects (1 in Omeka-S, 6 in EdSpace)

3. Throughout these steps in the process,
students are working closely with their
advisors, conducting research, writing, and
revising.
During the spring semester of their second
year in the program, students completing
digital capstones participate in a digital
project seminar with a faculty member, in
which they learn how to work with the
technology. Melissa Becher in the library
and Sam Sadow, the Visual Resources
Curator, also provide support with the
technology and with the proper use of
images and media.
Digital Capstone Project
Workflow
MA student selects capstone research subject
in consultation with faculty advisor
Student chooses between thesis
capstone and digital capstone
Student chooses between Omeka-S and EdSpace
Student completes capstone project and files
link with the Visual Resources Curator
Visual Resources Curator forwards projects to University
Archivist to be archived and to Resource Description in the
library to be cataloged.
Projects become accessible via the online library catalog,
as well as through internet search engines

4. Omeka-S vs. EdSpace
Omeka-S:
● Developed at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for
History and New Media at GMU
● Open source, so theoretically more flexible
provided active developer community
○ Currently fewer tools and design options
compared to EdSpace
● Hosted by AU, so no storage issues → original
sites remain live indefinitely
● Site building environment and user interface
less intuitive than EdSpace
○ Advanced design options require
knowledge of HTML and CSS →
opportunity for students to develop these
skills
EdSpace:
● Powered by Wordpress
● Proprietary platform with sites hosted by a third
party, so storage is limited → original sites
deleted three years post-graduation (archived
sites remain active and accessible)
● Robust and intuitive design environment and
user interface → lots of “bells and whistles”
● WordPress platform is a widely-used global
standard → work opportunities for experienced
users

5. Sample Projects
The Hardwick Portrait of Elizabeth I of England: Queenship and Friendship –
Omeka S
Maruja Mallo’s Heads of Women – WordPress/EdSpace
All Art History digital projects
Let’s Take a Look!