Studio Art: Write & Cite in Chicago Style

Christine L. Sundt's comprehensive resource on copyright in art.

Circular 40 from the U.S. Copyright Office.

"The Digital Image Rights Computator (DIRC) program is intended to assist the user in assessing the intellectual property status of a specific image documenting a work of art, a designed object, or a portion of the built environment. Understanding the presence or absence of rights in the various aspects of a given image will allow the user to make informed decisions regarding the intended educational uses of that image."

The importance of images and visual media in contemporary culture is changing what it means to be literate in the 21st century. Today's society is highly visual, and visual imagery is no longer supplemental to other forms of information. New digital technologies have made it possible for almost anyone to create and share visual media. Yet the pervasiveness of images and visual media does not necessarily mean that individuals are able to critically view, use, and produce visual content. Individuals must develop these essential skills in order to engage capably in a visually-oriented society. Visual literacy empowers individuals to participate fully in a visual culture.

A not-for-profit association of researchers, educators, designers, media specialists, and artists dedicated to the principles of visual literacy.

Images contain information and ideas, and visual literacy allows the viewer to gather the information and ideas contained in an image, and place them in context.