Make a difference for BC
Transforming access to art at SFU: Sydney Laiss
As the Collections Manager for SFU Galleries, Sydney Laiss is responsible for the care and preservation of more than 5,800 artworks between the Burnaby, Surrey and Vancouver campuses.
That includes everything from supporting the acquisition of new art into the SFU Collection to ensuring that each piece is properly cleaned and maintained. It also involves working closely with different academic departments and units to find artwork for their space that fits their research focus, goals and vision, which Laiss describes as one of the most special parts of her job.
“We really want people to connect with the art and become ambassadors for the collection, to feel confident and knowledgeable about the art that’s hanging on their walls.”
Since joining SFU in the summer of 2023, Laiss has taken part in a diverse range of projects. A personal highlight was supporting the installation of four Coast Salish weavings in the Indigenous Curriculum Resource Centre (ICRC), which opened in the W.A.C. Bennett Library earlier this year after launching as an online resource in 2020. While the project was already underway when Laiss joined SFU, she coordinated receiving and installing the weavings in the new space.
“As a Métis person myself, it was very meaningful to be part of that process, to see the weavers and everyone who supported the project come out for the opening of the Centre, because I didn't have anything like that as a student...it’s been emotional for me to help build spaces I wish I had.”
Along with the rest of the SFU Galleries team, Laiss is working hard to improve access to the art in SFU’s collection. This includes increasing the number of photos available online, a complicated issue due to the copyright restrictions involved with reproducing images digitally. She estimates that about half of the university’s collection is not available online, which can present a barrier to sharing art with the public.
As another way to address barriers, Laiss notes the importance of creating more detailed descriptions that provide information beyond the title, artist and donor names. That means finding ways to meaningfully incorporate the language(s) spoken by the artist, and prioritizing art created by communities that are underrepresented in the SFU collection such as Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ artists.
“A significant part of the ethos of SFU Galleries is an educational and pedagogical approach to art, so I hope that by including more informative labels we can encourage people to engage, to not feel intimidated or afraid to talk about the pieces around campus.”
That educational approach will be greatly enhanced by the Gibson Art Museum opening in 2025 on Burnaby campus. The space will be home to a range of artist-led offerings such as hands-on sessions for students and weekend family programs, furthering SFU's commitment to making a difference for B.C. through the expansion of experiential education and lifelong learning opportunities. Laiss describes the move to the Gibson as a once-in-a-career opportunity and is excited about the impact it will have for the campus community and beyond.
While preparations for the new space are a major focus for the SFU Galleries team, Laiss encourages anyone that is curious about any aspect of art on campus to reach out.
“If you’re interested in having artwork in your department, collaborating on special projects, or want to have something commissioned and aren’t sure where to start, please feel free to connect with us. We’d love to support you!”