Lending Library: Presented by Beltway Public Works

Washington Project for the Arts is pleased to present the launch of the BPW Lending Library, a circulating collection of artworks reflecting the eclectic recent history of contemporary art 'inside the Beltway'. Founded by Beltway Public Works, The Lending Library is envisioned to become a dispersed, people's museum of the national capital region, championing the role of contemporary art in the lives of Beltway residents by making challenging, inventive artworks available for short-term loan.

List of artists (in formation)

A catalog of all current Library works can be downloaded as a .PDF here.

interested in borrowing or lending artwork?

The Library is currently in its launch phase and welcomes expressions of interest from artists or potential borrowers. BPW will prioritize requests that help us to reach new audiences (private homes and businesses), highlight under-represented histories, and connect to art scenes across the DC line. Register to borrow through BPW's website here.

Beltway Public Works is a new cultural initiative made up of artists, curators, and educators active in the Beltway region and beyond who maintain deep ties to the area. BPW considers art to be a civic resource, like water or public transit, and is interested in championing the role of contemporary art in the lives of Beltway residents. Beltway Public Works evolved out of FURTHERMORE, a DC-based research and development lab for visual culture. Opened in 2010 as a print studio specializing in digital editions, FURTHERMORE has since expanded its scope of activities, working with artists, curators, institutions, and the public to create and disseminate contemporary art and ideas. Recent FURTHERMORE projects have included Intersection Mixtape, a community-sourced audio portrait of Mid City DC, curated by the Van Alen Institute with support from the Kresge Foundation and DC Office of Planning, and McGyver School of Arts & Design, a crowdsourced reimagining of arts education in the 21st century. Beltway Public Works is led by Natalie Campbell, James Huckenpahler, Patrick McDonough, and José Ruiz, with a growing list of partners. For more information, visit http://beltwaypublicworks.org/