About the Curationist Taxonomy

The Curationist Taxonomy is a living document updated on a weekly basis by Metadata Manager Sharon Mizota (sharon@sharonmizota.com) and Senior Digital Archivist Jessica Gengler (jessica@curationist.org).

"About" tab last updated 04.25.2025

This taxonomy is an interim solution put in place until full integration with Wikidata is available. For general guidance on the taxonomy and selecting terms, please see the Taxonomy Guidelines.

Searching the Taxonomy

The taxonomy is divided into 13 top level categories:

NOTE: Terms from any category can be used as Subject Terms

Named living or historical individuals or institutions (Supernatural and fictional entities are listed under Subject.)

Culture, people, or adjectival form of a country name from which a Work originates, or other cultural context with which the Work has been associated.

Geographic location and/or name of the repository, building, site, or other entity whose boundaries include the Work, or a location associated with its creation, production, distribution, etc.

A defined style, group, school, movement, etc. whose characteristics are represented in the Work, i.e., “Impressionism,” “Abstract Expressionism,” etc.

Dynasty, empire, or other designated time period associated with the Work

Category of object to which the Work belongs or that is the subject of the Work

The production or manufacturing processes, techniques, and methods incorporated in the fabrication or alteration of the Work

Terms or phrases that describe, identify, or interpret the Work and what it depicts or expresses. Subjects include objects, people, and places depicted in an image or text.

Topics developed by Curationist writers and editors - currently not reconciled with Wikidata

If you don't find the term you're looking for by searching within a tab, you can search the whole spreadsheet:

Make sure "All sheets" is selected in the "Search" dropdown before hitting "Find".

Selecting a Term

When you find an appropriate term, you may use it if it is marked "Y" in the "Approved" column on the far left. If it is not marked "Y", contact the Taxonomy Manager listed above.

If your selected term is on Levels 2-6, consider also assigning one or more terms from the level(s) above it.

If you do not find an appropriate term, you may add one. See below.

Adding a Term

To add a new term to the taxonomy, find the appropriate tab and location in the hierarchy and add a new row. If you're not sure where the term should go, just put it at the bottom of the tab. Remember to leave the "Approved" column blank so the Taxonomy Manager can find it.

Fill in as many of the columns with the yellow headers as possible. The most important ones to populate, in addition to your new term, are:

Additional contextual information about your term, its definition or meaning.

Your name or initials so the Taxonomy Manager can contact you if necessary.

If you have time, it's helpful to also populate these columns:

Terms with the same meaning as your new term; synonyms help with searching by directing people to the "official" term

Other term(s) already in the taxonomy that are related to your new term. For example, "Narcissus (character)" is related to "Narcissus (plant)".

Links (URLs) to other resources that include or define your term, such as Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus, Library of Congress Subject Headings, Encyclopedia Britannica, etc.

If your term has an associated time period, enter its start date. Usually only applicable to the Date (Time Period) category.

If your term has an associated time period, enter its end date. Usually only applicable to the Date (Time Period) category.

Enter the Qid from Wikidata for the geographical area associated with your term. Usually only applicable to the Date (Time Period) category.