Call for Submissions: Visual Expressions on Construction Fencing
Update: Winning submissions have been selected and installed. Read more about these winning submissions here.
Simon Fraser University (SFU) has started construction on the First Peoples’ Gathering House (FPGH) on Burnaby campus, located east of the Trottier Observatory. Supported by Indigenous communities, the First People’s Gathering House is designed as a safe and welcoming space where Indigenous students, staff and faculty can come together to practice, learn and share in their cultural traditions.
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
To create a sense of excitement for this project, and honour the knowledge, teachings and practices of Indigenous peoples, the university is looking to incorporate visual expressions based on the theme of Walking in Two Worlds. In your visual expressions, please show your connection to the First Peoples’ Gathering House.
The invitation for visual expressions is open to creations or collaborations by all self-identified Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) prospective, current students and alumni. Submissions should be appropriate, free from profanity and respectful to all.
Submissions will be adjudicated by a review panel which reserves the right to determine the number of successful applicants, as well as to decide not to select any submissions for display.
Selected submissions will be awarded a stipend of $850.
Walking in Two Worlds
The Walking in Two Worlds concept for the First Peoples' Gathering House emerged from discussions with Local Nation Knowledge Keepers and Elders about the importance of recognizing the journey of Indigenous students who are trying to find their own balance between honouring their Indigenous cultures and home communities, while at the same time finding their place in the western education systems as they pursue their higher education.
SUBMISSIONS SHOULD TAKE THE FORM OF A DIGITAL IMAGE OF
- Original artwork in any medium (drawing, graphic illustration, painting, photograph or otherwise);
- Written text (poetry or otherwise)
Submission specifications will follow at Information Session.
HOW TO APPLY
- Watch virtual Information Session that took place on Tuesday April 4, 2023 at 2-3pm.
- Confirmation of Interest (max 150 words) sharing your Indigenous cultural connection and relationship to SFU (ie. prospective, current student or alumni) to fpgh@sfu.ca with the subject line “FPGH Submission” by December 31, 2023.
- Submissions of work in digital format due December 31, 2023.
INFORMATION SESSION - WATCH IT HERE
Find out more about timelines, selection criteria, design guidelines and image preparation at this session. Information around winning submissions and stipends will also be shared here.
Recording date: Tuesday April 4, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
CONTACT
For inquiries about this call for submissions, please contact fpgh@sfu.ca
This initiative is a joint effort between Facilities Services, Indigenous Student Centre, Galleries, Indigenous Studies, Office of Aboriginal Peoples, Marketing and Communications, and Faculty of Communications, Art and Technology.