We aim to advance the use of linked data for the arts from a library- and archives-led perspective through information sharing, exchange, and collaboration.

As an LD4 Affinity Group, we are open to all, regardless of institutional or organizational affiliation.

Scope

We are a community of practice exploring the unique challenges of modeling, creating, querying, and visualizing linked data across the arts including (but not limited to):

Background

An earlier version of the LD4 Arts Affinity Group organized calls between June 2021–January 2023 under the name “ARLIS/NA Wikidata Group.” We began meeting regularly following sessions at the 2021 ARLIS/NA conference including a Wikidata workshop and Digital Humanities SIG meeting on Wiki projects in art and architecture libraries. Members also organized a session for the 2022 ARLIS/NA conference titled “Points of Connection: Using Wikidata for Art Information.”

In February 2023, we formally joined the LD4 community as an affinity group, adopting the name “LD4 Art & Design Affinity Group” and broadening our focus to linked data as a whole.

In October 2025, we became the “LD4 Arts Affinity Group” to reflect a further expanded scope. Beyond visual arts and design, we now cover linked data for performing arts, time-based media, and any other art form of interest.

Reflecting our origins in North American library associations and a coordination team based in the United States, our group’s calls tend to occur during U.S. business hours and are held in English. We warmly welcome international participation and encourage anyone limited by time zone differences to engage through our asynchronous communication channels.

Calls

We hold monthly(ish) open calls to learn about and discuss projects, resources, and tools within our scope. Join our Google Group to be notified when calls are announced.

Recording and AI Note-taker Policy

Our calls are not recorded by default (except by presenter request) and AI note-takers are not permitted, though we keep comprehensive written notes for every session and share slides when available.

Communication Channels

Google Group

Members of our Google Group can share relevant announcements, resources, questions, and job postings by sending emails to ld4-arts@googlegroups.com.

If you are not yet a member, you can request membership through your web browser or send a blank email to ld4-arts+subscribe@googlegroups.com.

Slack

We have a dedicated channel (#arts) in the LD4 Slack workspace (ld4.slack.com) for more ephemeral discussion.

See the LD4 site for the link to join the Slack workspace. Once you have joined, search for #arts and click the Join Channel button.

Links

LD4

Relevant Groups and Initiatives

Bold links indicate arts focus