The UBC Faculty of Arts is seeking a xʷməθkʷəy̓əm artist to create an original two-dimensional artwork for the šxʷʔey̓eʔ (Main Mall) entrance of the Buchanan building on the UBC Vancouver campus.
The artwork will be printed on semi-permanent vinyl and installed on the glass doors and windows of the entrance. This project aims to enhance the visibility of Musqueam culture within the UBC campus, which is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people.
In addition to celebrating Musqueam culture, the artwork will help to reduce bird strikes on the entrance windows and doors. The artwork will need to adhere to “Bird Friendly” design guidelines, ensuring the appropriate balance of clear and opaque areas to protect local wildlife. This project presents a highly visible opportunity to integrate Musqueam art into UBC’s built environment while contributing to the preservation of biodiversity on campus.
The artwork will be installed on the Main Mall entrance to the Faculty of Arts’ Buchanan A Building
Project goals
The project team aims to:
- Honour the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm people, on whose territory the UBC Vancouver campus and Faculty of Arts is situated
- Create visibility and encourage learning about Musqueam culture for campus visitors and Faculty of Arts community members through art
- Support Musqueam artists in exploring public art opportunities
- Prevent fatal bird strikes on a large section of glass doors/windows in the UBC Buchanan complex
Eligibility
The opportunity is open to all xʷməθkʷəy̓əm artists. Youth and emerging artists, as well as those without public art experience, are encouraged to apply. Support for emerging artists to complete the project is available if needed. The chosen artist will not be required to manage the project. Please include any questions or concerns about the project or production of your piece in the application, or email artsadmin.faculty@ubc.ca.
Artist fee
The selected artist will receive a fee of $10,000. The artist will not be responsible for any costs associated with installation and production.
Timeline
The anticipated project schedule is as follows:
- Applications open: January 30, 2026
- Applications close: Friday, March 20, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
- Successful artist is notified: April, 2026
- Artwork installation: August 2026 (weather dependent)
- Artwork celebration event: September 2026 (expected)
How to apply
For a full overview of the site, scope of work, theme, adjudication, and application process, please review the full call for artists.
This initiative is funded by a UBC Indigenous Strategic Initiatives Fund grant, with in-kind support from UBC Faculty of Arts.
