AAT

Definition

The AAT, or Art & Architecture Thesaurus, is a structured vocabulary that provides a standardized set of terms for describing art, architecture, and related cultural heritage materials. It plays a crucial role in the organization and retrieval of information in the context of linked open data, allowing diverse data sources to interconnect and be more easily accessed by users.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The AAT is published by the Getty Research Institute and consists of terms that are useful for describing objects from various cultures and periods.
2. It supports linked open data initiatives by providing a standardized vocabulary that helps different institutions connect their data effectively.
3. The AAT covers a wide range of topics, including styles, materials, techniques, and historical contexts related to art and architecture.
4. By using the AAT, cultural heritage institutions can improve searchability and interoperability among their digital collections.
5. The AAT is frequently updated to include new terms and concepts that reflect changes in art history and contemporary practices.

Review Questions

• How does the AAT contribute to improving access to cultural heritage materials?
  • The AAT enhances access to cultural heritage materials by providing a controlled vocabulary that standardizes the description of art and architecture. This allows for better organization and retrieval of information across different databases. When institutions adopt the AAT in their cataloging practices, it enables users to find related materials more efficiently, as they can search using consistent terminology.
• Discuss the relationship between the AAT and linked open data initiatives in cultural heritage.
  • The AAT plays a vital role in linked open data initiatives by providing a structured vocabulary that facilitates interoperability among various datasets. By utilizing a common set of terms, cultural heritage institutions can link their collections with others worldwide, allowing for richer contextual information. This interconnectedness not only broadens access to resources but also enhances collaborative research efforts across disciplines.
• Evaluate the impact of using standardized vocabularies like the AAT on the future of digital art history.
  • Standardized vocabularies like the AAT are transforming digital art history by enabling more cohesive research frameworks. As institutions increasingly rely on linked open data principles, the adoption of controlled vocabularies ensures that diverse collections can be connected and compared effectively. This practice will likely lead to new insights into art historical narratives, promote collaborative scholarship, and enhance public engagement with cultural heritage through more accessible digital platforms.

Related terms

Controlled Vocabulary: A collection of terms that are used consistently to index content, ensuring uniformity in the way information is categorized and retrieved.

Semantic Web: An extension of the World Wide Web that enables data to be shared and reused across application, enterprise, and community boundaries through a common framework.

Ontology: A formal representation of a set of concepts within a domain and the relationships between those concepts, often used in knowledge representation and information systems.