Michael Wirtz

Specialization

Design Research and Writing; Library Systems; Scholarly Communication

Education

• 2008, Master of Arts – Information Resources and Library Science. University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
• 2004, Master of Fine Arts – Painting. Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
• 2000, Bachelor of Fine Arts – Painting Emphasis. University of Wyoming, Laramie Wyoming.
• 1998, Bachelor of Arts – Journalism with Religious Studies Minor. University of Wyoming, Laramie Wyoming.

Biography

Michael Wirtz is the Design Research Librarian with specific liaisonship to, and teaching responsibilities in, the VCUarts Qatar Masters of Fine Arts program. In addition to supporting the research of the MFA students and faculty, Michael provides instruction on research methods, information literacy, and critical thinking. Michael’s research centers around developing tools and techniques for information literacy and critical thinking instruction, as well as the access and use of information by art and design studio practitioners. He is an Associate Editor for Art Libraries Journal.

Michael’s current research looks at developing interactive tools for information discovery. He is interested in finding ways the library can connect art and design students to information. Most recently, he has been examining how comic and sequential art (comic books, graphic novels and manga) can bridge disciplinary and cultural silos in the dissemination of information. He is the co-founder of the VCUarts Qatar Comics Lab, a research space that identifies, collects and facilitates the production of comic art in the MENA region.

Michael also serves as the VCUarts Qatar Dean’s Fellow for Multiversity, overseeing the Film and Design joint minor with Northwestern University Qatar.  

Research Interests

Information Production and Use by Art and Design Practitioners; Comics and Sequential Art; Information Literacy; Critical and Creative Thinking.

Publications

• 2024, Wirtz, Michael A. “Editor’s Note.” Art Libraries Journal, 49(4).
• 2023, Wirtz, Michael A. “Editor’s Note.” Art Libraries Journal, 48(3).
• 2022, Wirtz, Michael A. “Editor’s Note.” Art Libraries Journal, 47(3).
• 2021, Wirtz, Michael A. “Editor’s Note.” Art Libraries Journal, 46(3).
• 2020, Wirtz, Michael A. “Editor’s Note.” Art Libraries Journal, 45(3).
• 2019, Wirtz, Michael A. “Editor’s Note.” Art Libraries Journal, 43(4).
• 2017, Wirtz, Michael A. “Embedded in Their World: Moving Mentally into the Studio Environment.” In P. Glassman & J. Dyki (Eds.), The Handbook of Art and Design Librarianship (2nd ed.). London: Facet Publishing.
• 2014, Wirtz, Michael A. “Tasmeem: An Inauguration through ‘Hybrid Making.’” Tasmeem Journal 2014(1).
• 2013, Wirtz, Michael. “Tasmeem Journal – A New Beginning.” Context 2.
• 2011, Erickson, Mary, Jeana Klein, and Michael Wirtz. “Objective-Driven Evaluation: A Collaboration between Studio Foundations and Art Education.” FATE in Review 32.

Presentations

Wirtz, M. A., Montero, G. G., ARLIS UK & Ireland Annual Conference, “Professional Writing for Publication,” Art Libraries Society of the UK and Ireland, The Forum, Norwich, United Kingdom. July 4, 2023.

Wirtz, M. A., L. M., Art Libraries Society of the UK and Ireland Annual Conference, “The VCUarts Qatar Comics Lab: Collecting and disseminating comic art in the Middle East.,” ARLIS UK and Ireland, The Forum, Norwich, United Kingdom. July 4, 2023.

Wirtz, M. A., Hill, L. M., International Comics Arts Forum, “Empowering Narratives in the Middle East: The Establishment of a Comics Lab at VCUarts Qatar,” ICAF, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. April 20, 2023.

Wirtz, M. A., VCUarts Qatar Research Week 2022, “Predatory Journal and Conference Practices,” VCUarts Qatar Office of Research, VCUarts Qatar, Doha, Qatar. August 30, 2022.

“Professional Writing for Publication,” Art Libraries Society of the UK and Ireland, M Shed Museum, Bristol, United Kingdom. July 14, 2022.

“A Brief History of Discovery at VCUarts Qatar Libraries” Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries Discovery Summit, Online. January 11, 2022.

“Practical Writing Workshop” Workshop co-presented with Montero, G. G. (Art Libraries Journal Deputy Editor), Binkowski, K. (Art Libraries Journal Associate Editor), Art Libraries Society of the UK and Ireland 51st Annual Conference, Online. July 22, 2021.

“Infrastructure – Advanced Tools (Roll-Over Process).” Ex Libris Users of Qatar. Online. July 02, 2020.

“Writing for publication: Why? Where? How?” Workshop co-presented with Montero, G. G. (Art Libraries Journal Deputy Editor), Binkowski, K. (Art Libraries Journal Associate Editor), Art Libraries Society of UK and Ireland 49th Annual Conference, Architectural Association, London, United Kingdom. July 26, 2018.

“Writing in the design studio: Establishing a cycle of artistic research.” Presentation at the 2017 Conference on College Composition and Communication, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States. June 2, 2017.

“Contextualizing time and place: An alternative guide to Islamic art history.” Presentation to the 2016 meeting of the VCUQatar Joint Advisory Board. Doha, Qatar. May 4, 2016.

“Interactive alternatives to ‘lists of links’: Collaborative examples of interactive library guides.” Presentation as part of the panel: “Connecting the dots: Using geolocation data to support interactivity and data visualization.” Art Libraries Association of North America and Visual Resources Association Joint Conference. Seattle, Washington. March 9, 2016.

“Scholarly impact and predatory journals.” Teaching and Learning Lecture Series, co-presented with Carol Hansen. Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar, Doha, Qatar. April 17, 2014.

“Using blogs as a pedagogical tool in higher education.” Information Literacy Network of the Gulf Conference. Georgetown University, Doha, Qatar. November 26, 2013.

“Deeply embedded: Library – studio partnerships in the development of a graduate design curriculum.” Art Libraries Association of North America Conference. Pasadena, California. April 27, 2013.

“Information literacy by design: An integrative partnership in the graduate studio.” Information Literacy Network of the Gulf Conference. VCUQatar, Doha, Qatar. December 13, 2012.

“Information literacy assessment.” Art Libraries Association of North America, webinar session. September 30, 2011.

“Zotero.” Workshop as part of the Faculty Professional Development Series. Virginia Commonwealth University Qatar, Doha, Qatar. April 17, 2011.

“Discovery by design: A wayfinding approach to browsing.” Poster presentation at Art Libraries Society of North America/ Visual Resources Association Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota. March 27, 2011.