David M. Bergeron & Geraldo Sousa Exhibit Program

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 2028. 

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 Shelby Schellenger, Reference Coordinator and Interim 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 February 5, 2027.

Applicants will be notified by February 26, 2027.

2026/2027 Awardee

Misty Schieberle, Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of English
(with Elspeth Healey, Special Collections Curator)
Topic: Premodern European Manuscripts 

Previous Program Exhibits

David M. Bergeron, Professor Emeritus, Department 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

Sarah Jen, Associate Professor, School of Social Welfare
(with Phil Cunningham, Kansas Collection Curator)
Aging, Art, and Activism: Reimagining Our Aging Futures through Creative Representations and Personal Narratives 
February-September 2026

Anticipated Exhibit Timeline

Spring 2027

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

Summer 2027

• Guest curator works to select items and develop exhibit.

August-September 2027

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

October 2027

• 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 2027 (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 2027 (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 2028)

• 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.