The collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art / College of Art + Design Library has been moved to Gelman Library at George Washington University and is available for research. To find out how to view artists’ books from the Corcoran, visit the Artists’ Books DC George Washington University Library page.
About the Collection
The artists’ books collection at the Corcoran Gallery of Art / College of Art + Design Library is a teaching collection that serves undergraduate and graduate students, including students from the Corcoran’s Art and the Book MA program. Containing nearly 300 books, the collection is focused on the theme of social consciousness. The artists’ books display a variety of techniques and media to serve as examples and inspiration for students.
Finding Artists’ Books
Using the Corcoran Library Online Catalog to pull a list of artists’ books is incredibly easy. In the sidebar of the catalog, there’s a link for “artists’ books.” Clicking the link automatically generates a list of all the artists’ books in the collection. If you prefer to search for them manually, or to search within the list, you can use the advanced search option. In the first drop-down box, select “Collection Type.” In the drop-down box immediately to the right, select “Artists Books.” You can click the search button or put in other search limits if you prefer.
How to Get There
500 Seventeenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
The Corcoran Library is located at the downtown campus, inside a grand Beaux-Arts building near the White House. To get to the Corcoran by Metro, take the Orange or Blue line to Farragut West and exit at 17th Street or take the Red line to Farragut North and exit at K street. Walk south from either station on 17th Street to the Corcoran, which is just past New York Avenue. After you pass the security desk, head up the staircase until you see the red doors. There’s also an elevator you can use to get up to the library. Students and researchers should know that the Art and the Book MA program is located at the Corcoran Georgetown Campus at 1801 35th Street NW, a different location than the library.
What to Expect
The Corcoran Library is open to Corcoran students, faculty, and staff. It’s also open to researchers by appointment. Call the library at 202-478-1544 to schedule an appointment to view the artists’ book collection. Then head on over and start looking at artists’ books! The library’s hours change based on the school schedule, so check the website first. For all the artists’ books you’d like to see, bring the call number or box number, artist’s name, and book title to the library information desk. You can find that information easily through the catalog.
Other Resources
Artists’ Books at the Corcoran
Corcoran Library