The Melva J. Dwyer Award, a prize that recognizes the contribution made to the field of art librarianship by Melva Dwyer, former head of the Fine Arts Library, UBC, and that is given to the creators of exceptional reference or research tools related to Canadian art and architecture, was recently presented to Kirsty Robertson, for her volume Tear Gas Epiphanies: Protest, Culture, Museums, published by MQUP.
This remarkable volume narrates the not yet told story of political action at museums in Canada from 1900 to present day. It is filled with meaningful case studies, comprehensively articulating that political action must be considered as a significant aspect of museums’ histories. The author draws together extensive primary source research and analysis, and critically examines numerous intersections between national identity, institutional critique, social responsibility, decolonization, the indigenization of museum spaces, political economy, environmental activism, and many others. An Honorable Mention was given to Allyson Mitchell’s and Cait McKinney’s (eds.) Inside Killjoy’s Kastle: Dykey Ghosts, Feminist Monsters, and Other Lesbian Hauntings, published in 2019 by UBC Press.
The Melva J. Dwyer Award was established in recognition of the contribution made to the field of art librarianship by Melva Dwyer, former head of the Fine Arts Library, University of British Columbia. It is given to the creators of exceptional reference or research tools relating to Canadian art and architecture. The award is adjudicated by a jury of three Canadian art information professionals and administered by the Canadian Liaison to the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA). For additional information, please see the Award website. ARLIS/Canada represents Canadian art information professionals within ARLIS/NA and serves as their national association. For more information, please visit their website.