Call for Artists: Indigenous Art and Science Installation

The McDonald Institute, in partnership with the University Office of Indigenous Initiatives and Queen’s Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy, are currently seeking one or more Indigenous artists to bring an Indigenous perspective to the physics topics of focus at the McDonald Institute and Queen’s University. We hope to provide a way for students and visitors to engage in astroparticle physics visually, through an Indigenous lens and offer an alternative to the more traditional [western] scientific exhibits in Stirling Hall.

Our review committee, made up of members from the McDonald Institute, the Queen’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives, The Agnes Etherington Art Centre, and the Queen’s Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy, are excited to receive proposals for projects with diverse media not limited to traditional mural, installed panels, digital prints/wall coverings, projections, or mixed media. Three-dimensional installations are likely not possible, but we’re open to ideas.

We are not looking for fully formed proposals, visuals, or artwork descriptions. Artists should have an interest in working with or learning about astroparticle physics and the Indigenous perspectives of those topics. We do not expect artists to be experts or have any prior knowledge. We will support and help coordinate with physicists at Queen’s University, as well as Elders/Knowledge Keepers to develop the artists understanding of these topics which we hope will inform and inspire the artwork.

If you are interested in applying, please email admin@mcdonaldinstitute.ca with a link or attachments to examples of previous work by Sunday, August 10th 2025. If you know what kind of artwork/media you’d like to make, feel free to explain; otherwise, we are happy to allow for a collaborative research/creative process to develop ideas into a design proposal. We are hoping to install the artwork within the 2025 calendar year, respectful of the artist’s schedule.

 

In consultation with the artist and community members, we will work to ensure that the artwork is accessible to members of the Indigenous community. In addition to creating the artwork, the Institute will work with the artists to develop some complementary materials; videos, handouts or other material that can accompany the artwork to provide additional context and insight into the artwork and Indigenous ways of knowing. There may also be opportunities to host an unveiling event, and depending on the artwork, tour the installation to a variety of community locations.

The opportunity is offered as a “designated hire” and is open to Indigenous artists and artist groups. Indigenous Identity verification, as outlined in the Queen’s University Interim Policy for Hiring of Indigenous Specific Positions (“ISP Policy”), will be required if selected.

Budget: One or two artists at $5600 each. This amount includes a $1600 contract for design and $4000 for production. We have additional budget for materials, travel, and accommodations (if necessary), outreach/launch events, and honorariums for meetings with Elders/Knowledge Keepers. Applications from groups larger than two are welcome, and arrangements will be made with the available budget to provide fair remuneration.

 

The McDonald Institute represents the Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research community and connects researchers from 17 institutes across the country. We provide science funding, professional development, and outreach opportunities to our members and are committed to building a welcoming and supportive research environment that can sustain our projects’ multi-decade timelines. We bring a diverse offering of experiences to our researchers and the public and see immense value in inter-disciplinary engagements, especially with arts and culture such as visual arts, poetry, dance, and performance.