This research focuses on the work of contemporary and media artists engaging climate change and equity through speculation or by action-led initiatives. The project also mobilizes hope as a powerful stimulus for rethinking relationality, community-building and multi-species survival on Earth in the face of the climate crisis. The project explores what hope means individually and collectively; the differences between the “I” and the “Other.” This research poses the following questions: How do contemporary artists and thinkers engage with pressing contemporary issues like climate change? What is the inherent difference between what artists produce versus tech developers or scientists and why does this difference matter? What imaginaries do artists invite us to inhabit through their work? What do contemporary artists hope for?

• Support researching recent scholarship on art and climate change (bibliography); creating summaries and a database 
• Researching art programming from 2020-2023, identifying racialized artists working on climate change issues
• Creating a database of Canadian emerging artists focusing on climate change, in particular racialized and Indigenous subjects

My extensive curatorial experience in Canada and internationally provides me with practical skills needed to mentor research assistants. I have curated a number of exhibitions, including Eco(Systems) of Hope (Montreal, October 2022) and Through Secrets (Montreal, December 2022).I was also the artistic director of Eastern Bloc and Studio XX, two artist-run centres in Montreal. My strong understanding of gallery and artist-run centre systems in Canada will guide the student. Transferable skills include: developing sound research methodologies and tools; developing documents and documentation to gather and assess qualitative data; preparation for successful studio visit; academic writing preparation.

I will be able to support the student by providing mentorship, developing clear objectives, milestones, and a timeline, as well as documents and documentation that will help them clearly identify the tasks and the resources available to undertake this research on Canadian artists.