Les Enluminures currently sponsors a program, Manuscripts in the Curriculum I, to enable colleges, universities, and other educational institutions in the United States and Canada to borrow a select group of original manuscripts to be used for teaching and exhibitions for a segment of the academic year (semester, quarter, or summer session). Central to the philosophy of this program is the integration of real manuscripts into the curriculum in courses where students can work closely with original material under the guidance of a professor. It is also envisioned that it will encourage participating institutions to discover and implement ways that manuscripts can continue to be used creatively in their curricula.
Due to demand, we are inaugurating a second, revised program, Manuscripts in the Curriculum II, that will begin in September 2019. A smaller group of seven to nine manuscripts will be available for loan, which will include representative examples of types of books: a thirteenth-century Bible, a Book of Hours, a Music manuscript, a Humanist manuscript, a Book for the Mass or Divine Office, a Psalter, Sermons, and Monastic Life. It is possible to customize the program with one or two “wild card” manuscripts especially suited to the needs of the institution. Descriptions of a representative group of manuscripts will be available upon request. There is a nominal cost ($5,000) for North American institutions to contribute towards the out-of-pocket expenses of the program (with an additional fee for participating Canadian institutions for international shipping and customs). The fee covers: administration, insurance, shipping, condition reports, and study guides.
To qualify for consideration, an application is required. The application (no more than 3 pages in length) should include: a letter of intent, outlining the course(s) planned, and other internal and public events (lectures, receptions, colloquia), as well as any special requests for “wild card” manuscripts; a plan for integrating the use of manuscripts in the curriculum after the conclusion of the program; the names of faculty and library staff responsible for overseeing and funding the program; and the preferred semester with a second choice listed (from September 2019 through September 2021). Applications are due October 15, 2018. Decisions will be announced November 15, 2018.
For information: lauralight@lesenluminures.com
To read news and reviews of the program to date: http://www.textmanuscripts.com/curatorial-services/manuscripts
