Overview
The exhibitions in our galleries serve as community forum and teaching space—always free and open to the public, they make the documentary arts accessible to a general audience. Still and moving images, documents, writing, audio, and interactive installations heighten historical and cultural awareness, create discourse, and challenge traditional views of “others.” More than 8,500 people a year—locals and tourists; university faculty, staff, and students; and public school groups—visit CDS to enjoy this work and to attend related events.
- Our main exhibition space, the Juanita Kreps Gallery, is located on the first floor and showcases the work of both emerging and established documentary artists.
- The first-floor Lyndhurst Gallery expands the space of exhibitions in the main gallery or presents smaller exhibits in conversation with those in the Kreps.
- The Porch Gallery is an intimate viewing space for a wide range of work; it is located on the first floor of CDS’s Bridges Building, which adjoins the main building.
- Located on the ground floor of the Bridges Building, the University Gallery presents the work of our students and faculty as well as other documentarians associated with Duke University.
Public Programs and Outreach
CDS exhibitions are supplemented by a slate of visiting artists who have relevant ties to the themes or issues represented in a show. These guests share their work and stories through presentations, screenings, lectures, readings, and panel discussions. Like our exhibits, these programs are free and open to the public. CDS also engages in school and community arts-outreach efforts to bring public school classes, university students, community groups, and people from other educational institutions to the galleries. Special programs and field trips for students from area schools can be arranged by contacting CDS exhibitions program staff at 919-660-3687.
"As Exhibitions Director at the Center for Documentary Studies, I maintain a curatorial focus on work by artists of color and women, because they historically have not had the networks or opportunities to be seen and heard. This is particularly true in the documentary arts, where so much work is about people of color, but not by us. This focus allows me to dive deeper into documentary projects that otherwise might not get exposure. It also positively impacts the field, to serve the marginalized communities of which I am a part."—Courtney Reid-Eaton