Building on his own work with The Photobook Club and his doctoral research, Matt Johnston proposes to reify his existing findings and projects by running a publishing ‘lean-to’ with a reading-economy model which operates as a two-way hub for VSW and its community. Practically speaking, this would entail the augmenting and amplification of works in the collection (or being produced by students) to readers beyond those that are pre-existing, and developing new works with members of Rochester’s broader community, that may permanently reside in the archives at VSW. He has experience with related projects — in working together with Ken Schles to bring Invisible City to a new audience, developing reading strategies to combat the daunting nature of some artistic book-works. and in curating both local, and global, reading communities.

Matt is a photographer, academic and editor with a research and pedagogical focus on the life of the photobook beyond publication. In 2010 Matt founded The Photobook Club, a worldwide community of readers that has informed numerous projects with photobooks — from events and publications to workshops and festivals.

Funds for this residency came from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature; the Max and Marian Farash Foundation; and Joy of Giving Something.