Academic Digital Archive for Visual Arts (ADAVA)

This study explores designing and developing a digital archive for visual arts research at the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Benin, Nigeria. Traditionally, student project reports were submitted in printed copies and stored in the department’s library, a system prone to damage, loss, and limited access. This research investigates the transition to a digital repository to enhance preservation, security, and accessibility. The project involved converting hard copy reports into digital formats using George Polya’s problem-solving framework. The resulting platform, ADAVA (Academic Digital Archive for Visual Arts), is integrated into the department’s website, providing easy access to research materials online and offline. ADAVA improves access, offers global visibility, ensures secure storage, and protects student work from theft or damage. This development significantly modernizes research practices, enhancing the department’s research capacity and promoting wider dissemination of visual arts scholarship.