VISUAL RESOURCE COMMONS
ART + ART HISTORY DEPARTMENT
The Visual Resource Commons (VRC) supports the teaching and research
mission of the Department of Art and Art History, providing faculty and student
access to art related image collections in analog and digital format, art
documentation videos, Department and Gallery archives, electronic artistresources, and Department-specific reference materials. Networked computers,
scanners, printers, and course-specific software are available for individuals and
class projects. The VRC provides an environment conducive for research, class
meetings, administrative meetings, and exhibition opportunities.
HOURS:
8:30am - 5:00pm, Monday – Friday
(Extended hours, 5:00pm-7:00pm M-TH, will be posted when available.)
LOCATION: FA2109
PHONE: 817-272-2797
STAFF:
Rita Lasater, Director (rlasater@uta.edu or ext. 2-2797)
Kimberlee Main-Muñoz, Student Assistant
Daisy Ramirez, Student Assistant
OPEN TO:
DEPARTMENT FACULTY and STAFF are encouraged to use the VRC for
checking out materials, doing personal research, working with the digital
equipment, and meeting with colleagues and students. The VRC can be
reserved, in advance, for class meetings and other events.
DEPARTMENT GRADUATE STUDENTS are welcome to use the facility and
equipment for independent study and classroom assignments. Availability is
limited to times when the VRC has not been reserved for specific classes,
meetings, or events. Graduate students may checkout resources with permission
of the Director.
DEPARTMENT UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS can use the facility and
equipment for study and assigned projects, as directed by their professor and
with the approval of the Director of the VRC.
OTHER DEPARTMENT FACULTY AND STUDENTS are encouraged to use the
facility in collaborative projects with the Department. Certain resources may be
circulated with permission from the Director.
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VRC COLLECTIONS:
 The Visual Resource Commons’ primary holding is a Digital Image
Collection of upwards to 100,000 JPEG and TIFF files. Used by Department
professors for instruction, as well as research, and by students for study and
classroom projects, the digital image collection is a dynamic resource and is
the focus of an ongoing access initiative.
 The DVD/Video Collection of over 700 items focuses on art documentaries,
studio techniques, general history, and special topics to support classroom
instruction and personal research. Cataloged in a circulation database, this
collection can be searched online and accessed in the VRC by students for
class assignments or personal enrichment. Faculty, graduate students, and
staff may checkout the holdings for classroom and research purposes.
 The Film Script Collection, created especially for student circulation, has
315 items and is used in course assignments.
 The BFA Collection, consisting of artwork, artist-statements, and resumes of
graduating seniors since 1996, is available for student reference and is
maintained for archival documentation.
 Three large donations of gallery/museum exhibitions materials create the
Exhibition Collection. These materials, database-documented and
archivally housed, are available for research and classroom use.
 A small non-circulating reference library of art history texts, journals, and
other art-related materials is available for students, staff and faculty.
 The Department Image Archives, an ongoing analog-to-digital project,
documents the history of the Department. Once digitized, this collection will
be available through Research Commons, the campus institutional repository
offered by the UTA Library. A growing part of the archives is the MFA thesis
documentation.
PROCEDURES & CIRCULATION POLICES:
 VIDEOS and DVDs may be checked out for three days by faculty, staff, &
graduate students. BOOKS require special permission to circulate. Books
and other materials can be placed ON RESERVE for specified users.

Students can use the VRC computer stations to access art resources in
CD-ROM format, view DVDs, and other digital resources. The VRC and
adjacent rooms can be reserved for video viewing by larger groups.

DIGITAL IMAGES for course study are available through the Art History
page on the Department website. Digital images for classroom
presentation are available with the assistance of the VRC Staff. A project
to provide online access to the VRC’s digital collection is in process.
EQUIPMENT:
 The VRC has four iMacs, one Power-Mac, and one PC for patron use.
Three flat-bed scanners are available – two film scanners and one for
oversize materials.
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
A b/w laser PRINTER for patron use is located on the back computer
table. It requires a MavExpress ID card in order to print.

Other equipment includes TV/VCR CART and COMPUTER ON WHEELS
(COW). These items can be checkout or reserved for a class period.
Equipment should be requested in advance.

SLIDE PROJECTORS, SLIDE TRAYS and an OVERHEAD PROJECTOR
are also available, if needed.

A LIGHTBOX, CUTTING MAT, and PAPER CUTTER are available upon
request for faculty, staff, and graduate students.
RESTRICTIONS:
CELL PHONE usage is discouraged, especially when others are at work in the
VRC. Leave the area to make or receive calls. Cell phone ring-tones should be
turned off on entry.
FOOD is not permitted, except during approved events. BEVERAGES are
permitted if lidded or bottled, except at the computer stations.
RESERVED ROOMS:
FA 2102A, the large Art History lecture room, and FA 2102, the smaller
conference room, can be reserved for meetings and presentations, when not
scheduled for classes.
FA 2102 is the designated as the meeting room for the Art History Student Union.
THE PODIUM COMPUTER AND MOUNTED PROJECTOR ARE FOR CLASS
USE ONLY, unless permission is requested.
Contact the VRC Director and/or the Art Office to reserve 2102 or 2102A.
Contact the VRC Director to reserve the VRC.
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VISUAL RESOURCE COMMONS: INTERNET POLICY
The use of the Internet must be consistent with the policies of the University, and
the laws of the State of Texas. These policies and laws include, but are not
limited to:
UTA’s computer usage policy* http://www.uta.edu/oit/policies/acceptable-use-info-resources.php
UTA’s policy on sexual harassment –
http://www.uta.edu/eos/sexual-harassment/
Chapter 43, section 21, subchapter B of the Texas Penal Code,
referring to the display of obscene materials –
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/PE/htm/PE.43.htm - 43.21
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (U.S. Copyright Office Summary) –
http://www.copyright.gov/legislation/hr2281.pdf
Access to the Internet over VRC computers is a privilege granted to users,
and the Department reserves the right to suspend or amend this privilege if a
user:

Violates Texas obscenity laws.

Violates campus computer usage policies, which limits use to education & research, only.

Harasses others (cyber bullying), including but not limited to, sexual harassment.

Intentionally damages or destroys equipment, software, or data belonging to the
Department or to other users, including adding, altering, or deleting files on VRC
workstations or other computer equipment.

Copies materials protected by copyright law beyond the bounds of fair use.

Violates software or database license agreements.

Violates or attempts to violate computer system or network integrity, including attempts to
bypass network security functions, obtain restricted passwords, or alter the configuration
of VRC workstations in any way.

Uses the Internet for any illegal activity.
The decision to suspend or limit a patron's use will be made at the discretion of
the Director of the VRC.
Use of the VRC’s workstations will be on a first-come-first-serve basis, unless
reserved by a professor for class use or by the Director.
Please Note:
By using this facility, you are agreeing to follow the rules and policies of the VRC & UTA.
*To ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies, all user activity is be subject to review.
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