Comprehensive science involves multiple perspectives.
Artists across all disciplines at the University of Victoria Faculty of Fine Arts are invited to share their creative approaches on ocean science, with applications now open for the 2024 Artist-in-Residence.
How an artist sees the world can open our eyes to different viewpoints of ocean science: from exploring our perspective of and relationship with the ocean to igniting new research questions and experimental approaches. Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) and the University of Victoria (UVic) Faculty of Fine Arts launched the Artist-in-Residence Ocean Program in 2019 to bridge this cross-disciplinary exchange.
Proposals for the 2024 Artist-in-Residence are now being accepted, and Fine Arts graduate students currently enrolled at UVic are invited to apply by 22 December 2023.
The Artist-in-Residence will work with Fine Arts faculty members and ONC staff and scientists who use world-leading ocean technologies to learn from and engage with current research, connecting it to their own practice and to wider societal and cultural aspects. The artist may also be invited to contribute as a lead or co-author in scientific conference proceedings and journal articles.
The residency period can start anytime between 1 Feb 2024 and 31 August 2024, and last for up to four months. During that time, a cost-of-living stipend of CAD $2000/month will be paid to the selected Artist, with limited additional funds to support production or materials. The residency will conclude with a public exhibit or event within a specified budget agreed to during the residency.
The Artist-in-Residence Program is a partnership between ONC and the Faculty of Fine Arts, with additional support from the Faculty of Science and the Office of Research Services.
Who is Eligible?
This program is open to all current University of Victoria graduate students (Masters or PhD) who have completed most of their course requirements in any of the Faculty of Fine Arts units (Art History & Visual Studies, Theatre, Visual Arts, Writing and the School of Music). Artists working in any visual, written, musical, or performance discipline are invited to apply to explore a variety of ocean science themes that may include:
1. Advancing deep ocean observing
2. Hot and cold vent dynamics
3. Coastal ocean
4. Natural hazards
5. Ocean soundscapes
6. Arctic observing
7. Ocean data science
8. Community-engaged ocean monitoring
9. Indigenous perspectives
How to apply
To apply, email ONC (dwowens@oceannetworks.ca) with the subject line “Ocean Artist-in-Residence Program” and attach:
- artist’s CV
- concise portfolio of previous relevant artistic work
- letter of motivation outlining the artist’s project proposal for the residency, and
- 500-word project proposal with a separate project-costs budget
The application period closes on 22 December 2023. Applications will be reviewed by representatives of Fine Arts and ONC. Artists may be contacted for an interview or to supply further information before a decision is made. Read more.
Meet our previous ONC Artists-in-Residence
Since launching the Artist-in-Residence Program in 2019, ONC has hired four artists:
Neil Griffin (2023) wrote a series of lyric essays titled Whale Fall, which explores the ecological stages of whale decomposition from its last breath to its incorporation into the deep-sea ecoscape. Read more.
Colin Malloy (2022) combined steelpan and electronics in an eco-acoustical work to examine the relationship between oceans, oil, and humanity. Read more or listen to his pieces Oil and Water and Reflection in Waves.
Dennis Gupa (2021) uses the tools of theatre and drama to help bring about social change and build a sense of community to help us grapple with the impact of climate change on the world’s island nations. Read more and explore his choral compilations, “Gossip with Whales”.
Colton Hash (2019) worked with ONC scientists and data specialists to create artistic visualizations from ocean data. Read more.
