The Visual Arts Data Service (VADS) was awarded funding from JISC to lead the KAPTUR project, which will develop a model of best practices for managing research data in the visual arts. The project aims to investigate the current state of research data management, create applicable guidelines, and pilot the model at four institutional partners: Glasgow School of Art, Goldsmiths University of London, University for the Creative Arts, and University of the Arts London. The results will then be published for broader use.

1. VADS awarded JISC funding to ‘KAPTUR’ visual arts research data
October 17th, 2011
Denise Wren. 1960s. 21 small tiles used to demonstrate different saltglaze tests on stoneware (P.84.21.a-n). ©
Rosemary Wren/Crafts Study Centre 2004. Photo: David Westwood. The Crafts Study Centre Collection can be
accessed via VADS:http://vads.ac.uk/collections/CSC.html
Led by the Visual Arts Data Service (VADS), and building upon the work undertaken by theDigital Curation
Centre (DCC), KAPTUR will discover, create and pilot a sectoral model of best practice in the management of
research data in the visual arts.
Research data is seen as a valuable resource and, with appropriate curation and management, it has much to
offer learning, teaching, research, knowledge transfer and consultancy activities in the visual arts. To address the
lack of awareness and usage of research data management systems in the arts, the KAPTUR project seeks:
 to investigate the current state of the management of research data in the arts;
 to develop a model of best practice applicable to both specialist arts institutions and arts departments in
multidisciplinary institutions; and
 to apply, test and embed the model with four institutional partners.
The four institutional partners are: Glasgow School of Art; Goldsmiths, University of London;University for
the Creative Arts; and University of the Arts London. The results will be fed back into the model, which will be
revised and then published freely to the wider higher education community for use and reuse.
Links:
 KAPTUR project press release (PDF)
 KAPTUR project Web site
 KAPTUR project blog