"I love getting to share my art with other people:"

Undergraduate Studio Art Student Perceptions of Visual Culture

Abstract

While previous literature has extensively explored the research habits and information needs of art students, little attention has been given to their relationship with the broader landscape of visual culture. This qualitative study explores first-year studio art student attitudes and self-perceived roles as creators and consumers of visual culture. Study findings reveal heightened awareness of their visual surroundings as well as multiple modes of engagement, including through social media platforms. These insights point to the ever-evolving nature of art education, and the opportunities that instruction librarians have for incorporating relevant content into information literacy instruction through critical visual literacy.