Contributing to the Representation of Women Artists in Wikidata

Abstract

Open knowledge projects that are part of the Wikimedia ecosystem allow users to consume, contribute, and reuse the data. Wikidata, the structured linked data knowledge base that serves as a hub for all Wikimedia projects, offers interesting opportunities for GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums) institutions. Despite the fact that Wikidata holds over 60 million items, and that it is constantly growing, there is a noticeable gender disparity favoring entries for males. In this presentation, I share details of my efforts toward bridging the gender divide and hope to encourage GLAM professionals to join me in reshaping the art historical narrative in ways that can positively help bridging the gender gap in Wikidata and other Wikimedia projects while also providing more visibility to female artists in museum and library collections.