Highlighting cultural contribution

A suite of leaflets highlighting the university's range of cultural services was launched last month at the opening of an exhibition displaying the rich variety of university input to the cultural scene.

The pack offers a single window on the range of services offered by museums, exhibitions, archives and conservation services, and the Visual Research Centre who cater for students, staff and researchers as well as the general public.

The launch also officially opened a unique art archive held by the University at VRC, including over 400 books and original prints including works by international figures such as Eduardo Paolozzi. The Visual Research Centre Archive, which has also been fully digitised for ultimate on-line access, is open for free access to the public.

An exciting addition to the collection is a substantial portfolio of small works by Ian Hamilton Finlay. The archive also holds over 200 works from the era of the 1970s and 80s - a period of rich activity in Scotland - and features works by east coast of Scotland artists such as Will Maclean, Elizabeth Blackadder and Joyce Cairns as well as a number of members of staff at Duncan of Jordanstone College.

Director of the Visual Research Centre Ms Babs McCool said: "Art archives are commonly held in conditions of restricted access where users have to register and request items in advance. But this VRC archive is held in a public building where it is uniquely accessible to all. This means that, for example, pupils studying Higher art will be able to experience the thrill of seeing original works and artists' books at first hand - opening up an area of study to them that has previously been remote and restricted."

The University's cultural services include:

University's Museums Collection - an extraordinary assortment of over 15,000 items collected over 120 years and ranging from gruesome early medical instruments to an unusual collection of designer chairs.

The Conservation Unit where the focus is on paper conservation and rare books, charts and parchments are preserved and treated for a range of customers public and private.

Exhibitions who put on a year-round programme of contemporary exhibitions, lectures and workshops including the popular art college degree show.

University Archives who hold a vast collection of manuscripts, drawings and photographs.

Visual Research Centre who house contemporary Scottish art prints as well as the award winning Centre for Artists' Books.

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