The Visual Resources Centre (VRC) manages a continuously growing digital collection of images of works of art, architecture, and other visual materials from prehistoric times to the present, representing cultures from around the world. The VRC also has a traditional slide collection developed over many decades of teaching. Both collections were established to support the teaching and research of the faculty of the Department of Art History, thus reflecting the subject areas taught in the department.
The holdings currently number approximately 265,000 35mm slides and 60,000 locally produced digital images. The VRC digital collection is available to any person with a current valid Penn State user account and is accessible via the CONTENTdm collection management system through the University Libraries web site.
The VRC is a member of the Visual Resources Association, an international organization of image management professionals.