November 13, 2026
Nassau, The Bahamas – The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) is proud to donate a collection of art books and catalogues to the University of The Bahamas’ (UB) library, the Harry C. Moore Library & Information Center. Delivered on November 12, 2026, the contribution aims to support the equitable distribution of knowledge surrounding art and its practices.
As the leading art institution in The Bahamas, the NAGB is committed to nurturing a healthy cultural ecosystem, empowering generations of artists, scholars, and cultural workers. Similarly, the University of The Bahamas is dedicated to meeting the educational aspirations of its students and nurturing their creativity, while promoting the values of learning, leadership, and service. This shared commitment to education and the development of future generations makes the donation a natural extension of both institutions’ work.
Maelynn Ford, Executive Director of the NAGB, states, “We decided that it would be best to gift the library to the University of The Bahamas so that not only more students can have access to those books, but that members of the public can access them as well.” Ford continues, “We had quite a lot of Bahamian titles, which would go in special collections at the Harry C. Moore Library. So, we’re helping to grow both their collection of art books and their special collections.”
The relationship between the NAGB and UB reflects the intersection of art, knowledge, and academia through their shared pursuit of investigating and interpreting the world’s complexities. Donations such as these are crucial to expanding public access to information on Bahamian and international artists, their histories, and their creative practices.
Elsie Bain, University Librarian at UB, says, “This will mean a lot for students who want to use our collection. The area of art is one [where] our collection is lacking in resources, so this is a plus for our collection, and it will be greatly used by our researchers.”
Ford further emphasises the significance of the relationship between the two institutions, stating, “Partnerships like this are integral, not only for the growth of the National Art Gallery, but for the growth of the University of The Bahamas, which is our premier tertiary education institution in the country. They consistently produce the best Bahamian artists who have graduated [from UB]. It seemed like a natural fit that we would gift these books so that we could continue the work of producing the best artists here at the University of The Bahamas before they go on to be the best artists in the world.”
Through this contribution, the NAGB and UB reaffirm the importance of making knowledge accessible to those who seek it. It is a gesture that recognises the role of shared knowledge in strengthening the arts community and supporting the next generation of Bahamian thinkers and cultural practitioners.