David M. Bergeron & Geraldo Sousa Exhibit Program

KU Libraries are pleased to call for proposals for the 2026/2027 David M. Bergeron and Geraldo Sousa Exhibit Program, which facilitates and showcases the research of KU faculty using the extraordinary resources housed within Kenneth Spencer Research Library’s collections.
Two people taking a picture of exhibit text.

Overview

KU faculty are invited to submit proposals for their work to be presented as a Spencer Research Library exhibit, curated in collaboration with library colleagues.

One selected faculty member will be awarded a stipend of $5,000 for developing an exhibit that will be installed in the Spencer Research Library Exhibit Space during the early spring of 2027. 

The Bergeron-Sousa Exhibit Program is made possible through a gift to KU Libraries from David M. Bergeron, KU Professor of English Emeritus, and Geraldo Sousa, KU Professor of English. 

Proposal Procedures and Deadlines

The Bergeron-Sousa Exhibit Program is open to teaching faculty at the University of Kansas.

Exhibit proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • the topic's relevance to the campus and the community;
  • the researcher’s robust use of Spencer Library’s collections; and
  • the feasibility of the exhibit plan and timeline.  

Faculty members considering a proposal are strongly encouraged to contact Caitlin Klepper, Head of Public Services, at ksrlref@ku.edu in advance to discuss potential collections, exhibit themes, and other factors that will make a strong and achievable proposal.

Proposals are due by January 6, 2026.

Applicants will be notified by February 13, 2025.

Submit a Proposal

2025/2026 Awardee

Sarah Jen, School of Social Welfare
(with Kansas Collection Curator Phil Cunningham)
Aging, Art, and Activism: Reimagining Our Aging Futures through Creative Representations and Personal Narratives 

Previous Program Exhibits

David M. Bergeron, Professor Emeritus of English 
(with Beth M. Whittaker, Director of Kenneth Spencer Research Library)
To the Great Variety of Readers: Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s First Folio
September 2023-January 2024

Anticipated Exhibit Timeline

Spring 2026

  • Guest curator meets with assigned staff liaison to discuss goals, timeline, procedures, etc.
  • Guest curator begins selecting items and drafting exhibit text.

Summer 2026

  • Guest curator works to select items and develop exhibit.

August-September 2026

  • Guest curator, liaison, and conservator conduct in person review of selected items.

October 2026

  • Guest curator, liaison, and KU Libraries Office of Communications and Advancement (OCA) select and confirm event date.
  • Guest curator and liaison meet with OCA to share exhibit information and brainstorm titles (if needed).
  • Guest curator continues selecting items and drafting exhibit text.

November 2026 (working around holidays)

  • Guest curator and liaison meet to confirm items selected for exhibit.
  • Guest curator, liaison, and graphic designer meet to discuss exhibit design and sizes and placement for wall graphics.
  • Guest curator continues drafting exhibit text.

November–December 2026 (working around Winter Break)

  • Guest curator and liaison finalize exhibit text and layout.
  • Liaison schedules installation time with Conservation staff (may include guest curator, if desired).
  • Guest curator provides list of those to be invited to event.

Installation (no later than February 2027)

  • Guest curator may participate if desired.

After installation

  • Guest curator writes Spencer blog post about the exhibition and sends to one of the blog administrators.

Exhibit Program Contact

Caitlin Klepper
Head of Public Services
ksrlref@ku.edu