Proposals requested for new Indigenous art at UNBC

UNBC is seeking B.C.-based Indigenous artists to create a permanent, public art installation to welcome visitors to its Prince George campus.

“Indigenous art is about celebrating Indigenous peoples, cultures, and contributions,” says Zoë Meletis, a faculty member on several committees that have been pushing for a new prominent piece of Indigenous art at UNBC.

“Having Indigenous art is an amazing source of knowledge, history, representation, and inspiration.”

A total of $20,000 is available to the artist, or artist-led team, to cover all the costs of the creation, transport, and installation of the art project. The artwork can be traditional or contemporary, and range from different forms including painting, carving, statue, sculpture, interactive, performance, or digital art piece.

“BC-based Indigenous artists at any stage of their career with any preferred medium can apply,” says Meletis.

“The committee purposely did this to attract diverse proposals. We could get a new majestic piece along the lines of some of the more traditionally inspired works in the halls of UNBC, or we could soon be hosting a video performance, a large graffiti-style piece, or a pop-art influenced installation. “Either way, it’s exciting that we will have a new piece of contemporary Indigenous art to appreciate, whether we’re showing a guest around campus, teaching a class gathered around it, or reflecting upon it with friends.”

Further details are available in the request for proposals, available on UNBC’s Aboriginal Resource Dati page. ‘Dati’ means ‘doorway’ in Dakelh First Nation language.