What question did this study set out to answer?

The central aim is to assess how exhibition coverage varies across different demographic groups and to evaluate the representation of artists, particularly women of color.

synapse

⌘+K

synapse

⌘+K

April 13, 2026

The Closed Circle:

Key Points

The central aim is to assess how exhibition coverage varies across different demographic groups and to evaluate the representation of artists, particularly women of color.
Investigated a dataset of exhibitions from 2016 to 2017
Analyzed reviews and catalogs related to those exhibitions
Calculated the proportionality of media coverage across demographics
Overall, less coverage was found for artists of color, especially women of color
Media representations varied significantly by demographic group
Findings highlight gaps in the documentation and publishing of diverse artists' work

Abstract

For decades, arts activists have advocated for parity in whose work is shown across demographics, yet what has gained less attention is how those exhibitions have been documented and published. This study takes on the issue by investigating a dataset of exhibitions and the reviews and catalogs about them from 2016 to 2017 to determine proportionality of coverage. Findings vary in which demographics are more frequently covered by media, but overall there was less written about artists of color, particularly women of color. This is notable when considered in light of traditional sources on which art libraries depend. This article is an expansion of a paper presented at the 52nd annual ARLIS/NA conference held in Pittsburgh, PA, in April 2024 as part of the session “Collecting for the Future: Strategies for Inclusive Collection Development and Representation.”

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay