Ars Femina Archive 1500s-1800s: Representing Women Composers through Digital Archives

Abstract

Representation is one of the most powerful impacts that archives can make on communities. Ensuring that all people’s works, lives, and information is being preserved in an archive is what fuels a many modern day archivist. However, establishing equal representation of minorities and underrepresented groups is not enough to create a more inclusive world, archivists must also create ways for people to access that information. The creation of digital libraries and other online resources, allows for more people to use the resources collected, see themselves and their work represented, and gain an understanding of the artists who have come before them. The Ars Femina Archive (AFA), is housed at Indiana University Southeast, and is a collection of music composed by women from before the 1500s to the 1800s. This archive preserves and celebrates the impact that women in history have had on music. Women are largely underrepresented in the arts and especially in music, the AFA allows for people from around the world to research and access this collection of musical compositions created by women. This presentation will focus on the history of the collection, what is contained in the archive, its mission and how that mission is furthered by digitization, and the impact it has on scholarship and performance.