FAQ
What is a materials collection?
A materials collection is a collection of physical items from a range of disciplines grouped together for the purpose of handling and manipulation of objects in support of artistic and research practices.
What kind of things do you have in your collection?
The collection at the Joanne Waxman Library contains materials as traditional as canvas and paper samples to items as innovative as aerogel, the lightest material in the world. The items in the collection have been acquired for the purpose of inspiring and informing the work of artists and designers. The collection is concerned primarily with materality and as a result items such as tools and devices do not fall within the scope of the collection.
Who can use the Materials Collection?
The Materials Collection is designed to serve the students, faculty, and staff at Maine College of Art. Due to space limitations, members of the public are welcome to visit the Materials Collection by appointment only.
How are the materials organized?
The Materials Collection is organized into six material groups:
Naturals
Polymers
Metals
Minerals
Ceramics
Textiles
The materials are additionally organized by composition, form, properties, process, and application. Materials that may lend themselves to particular BFA majors are suggested as well.
Can I take materials out of the library?
Patrons are free to view, explore, and touch the materials in the library. At this time, we are not lending materials outside of the library.
Can I suggest an item for the collection?
Yes! We welcome recommendations in-person, via email at library@meca.edu, or by phone at 207-775-5153.
Can I donate items to the collection?
The majority of the Materials Collection is comprised of generously donated items. Materials donations are accepted on the basis of curriculum support, space consideration, and condition and format of the material. If you are interested in donating items, please contact the library via email at library@meca.edu or by phone at 207-775-5153.
How many items do you have in your collection?
The size and scope of the collection has been changing since its inception. At the time we have over 2,000 items from more than 70 individuals and companies combined.
What is the history of materials collections?
For the last several decades in the US, firms in the fields of design, architecture, and construction housed their own collections of sample materials and products. With the proliferation of the Internet and current computing technologies, among a number of other factors, firms no longer found it necessary to maintain hundreds or thousands of samples in-house. However the need for physical materials collections persisted, and both private consultancies and art and design libraries begin to more robustly acquire and catalog material items. While countries in Europe and Asia, appear to have larger materials libraries, the US has a growing number of materials collections. To the best of our knowledge, the Materials Collection at Maine College of Art is the first and only one of its kind in the state of Maine.