Community oriented distribution, independent publishing, and literacy through the arts.

A.rt R.esources T.ransfer is a nonprofit organization committed to documenting and disseminating artists' voices and work to the broadest possible publics. Through A.R.T. Press, our Library Program, and Reading Resources, we activate the key components of the printed book—publication, distribution, education, and spaces of reading—to create more egalitarian access to the arts and literacy.

In 2023, A.R.T. celebrates Rirkrit Tiravanija by distributing free art books in his name.

Testimonials

Staff

Alejandro Cesarco, Executive Director
Kylie Gilchrist, Associate Director
Ricky Ruihong Li, Library Program Administrator
Wendy Tronrud, Education Consultant

Advisory Board

Julie Ault
Sofía Hernández Chong Cuy
Anthony Huberman
Tanya Leighton
Glenn Ligon

Board

Joseph Miller-Gamble
Yasmil Raymond
Merrill Wagner

Current Institutional Support

H.W. Wilson Foundation
Teiger Foundation
The AG Foundation
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
The Keith Haring Foundation
The Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation
The National Endowment for the Arts
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council
The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature
The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
The Wilhelm Family Foundation

Previous Institutional Support

American Library Association
Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation
Hauser & Wirth
Luhring Augustine Gallery
Marian Goodman Gallery
Maureen Paley Gallery
Mike Kelley Foundation for the Arts
Regen Projects
Sikkema Jenkins & Co
The Laura B. Vogler Foundation
The Michael Asher Foundation

A.R.T was founded by William Bartman (1946-2005) in Los Angeles in 1987 as a publishing venture dedicated to documenting and disseminating artists' work. The organization has maintained a core commitment to egalitarian access to the arts and support for social spaces of reading since its inception.

Under the imprint A.R.T. Press, Bartman published monographs on a number of contemporary artists, including Mike Kelley, Vija Celmins, Allan McCollum, Merrill Wagner, David Reed and Chuck Close. Publications emphasize oral histories and the artist’s voice: artists played a central role in their books' production and most publications foreground the intimacy of the conversation format.

Intending to expand distribution of A.R.T. Press publications to public libraries in Los Angeles, the organization offered its books for free to local libraries. It found out that libraries could not accept the offer of free books because they could not afford the shipping costs. In 1990, a grant from the George Gund Foundation enabled A.R.T. to establish the Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (D.U.C.) as a pilot program to distribute free books to nine libraries. Now known as the A.R.T. Library Program, this innovative initiative was designed to combat steadily diminishing public cultural funding in rural and inner-city communities. Currently the Library Program makes high quality resources on the arts donated by a diverse range of arts publishers (including 30% of all A.R.T. Press publications) available to public schools, libraries, prisons, and alternative education centers nationwide. The Library Program covers all shipping costs, creating new distribution networks for artists and publishers and granting resources to public institutions that could not otherwise afford to acquire them. More than 25 years and thousands of libraries later, the Library Program continues to enable libraries to build comprehensive collections of contemporary art materials in areas where access to museums and other cultural institutions is limited.

In 1996, A.R.T. transferred to New York and operated as a bookstore and exhibition space in Chelsea. Until 2004, A.R.T. presented solo and group exhibitions granting exposure to a wide range of artists, with notable commitment to featuring the work of mid-career women artists. Following its mission to support artists and equitable public access to their work, the gallery did not take commission and granted all sales proceeds directly to the artists. Located at 11th Avenue and 24th Street, A.R.T. was presided over by the ebullient Bill Bartman (often dispensing chocolate and cookies) and provided an informal and convivial meeting place. Above all, it offered a stimulating program of multi-generational (re)discoveries, adding welcome variation to the Chelsea scene.

FAQ

What is Art Resources Transfer?

How do I know if I am eligible to receive free books through the A.R.T. Library Program?

Are institutions outside of the United States and Territories able to order books through the A.R.T. Library Program?

My institution is in a territory of the United States. Am I eligible to receive books through the A.R.T. Library Program?

Unfortunately my institution is not eligible to receive free books. Are there other ways I can participate?

How do I place my order of free books through the A.R.T. Library Program?

What kinds of books does the A.R.T. Library Program offer?

Are there any restrictions on book orders?

Are these books really free?

How long will it take to receive my order?

What age groups are your materials appropriate for?

I am a librarian/educator/organizer who works with incarcerated people. How can A.R.T.'s services support this work?

I am a participant of the A.R.T. Library Program and have moved to a new institution. How can I update my account?

I am a participant of the A.R.T. Library Program and my institution has moved to a new address. How can I update my account?

How can I find books relevant to my community of readers?

How can I learn more about the books distributed through A.R.T.'s Library Program?

I plan to use A.R.T. Library Program books in my educational work. What support does A.R.T. offer?

What is the Poulin Project?

What kinds of books will I receive in the Poulin Project?

How can I participate in the Poulin Project?

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Contact:
A.rt R.esources T.ransfer
526 W 26th Street, #614
New York, NY 10001
[email protected]