Public art strategy
Our plan to enhance the integration of public art on both Sir George Williams and Loyola campuses.
Introduction
The Concordia Public Art Strategy (2025-2028) establishes a three-year plan for Concordia University’s Public Art Collection and programming and proposes a vision to improve the integration of public art on both Sir George Williams and Loyola campuses situated in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal on the unceded Indigenous lands of the Kanien’kehá:ka Nation. The strategy encourages the development of public art programs and internal and external partnerships that support the goals of the University and align with its current and future vision of pedagogy and values of:
- equity
- decolonization
- diversity
- inclusiveness
- accessibility
- creativity
- sustainability
Strategic development process
In 2020 the University invested in the long-term care of the collection by creating the Public Art Lead position. Since then, the Public Art Lead has led the Public Art Policy Project with the support of the Provost and University Librarian.
The Public Art Policy project process took place from 2021-2023 with a series of consultations, namely the best practices research interviews and online community consultations. The results of these consultations informed Concordia’s Public Art Policy adopted by the President’s Executive Group in November 2023 as well as the creation of Terms of Reference for the establishment of Advisory and Curatorial Sub-Committees.
The Public Art Policy provides direction for effective development, management, maintenance, conservation, and stewardship of the public art collection and programming initiatives and ensures that the acquisition and deaccession processes respect compliance with the current applicable rules of professional and ethical conservation, and provincial, federal, and international laws pertaining to cultural property. It ensures the University is committed to making resources available for the conservation and acquisition of public art and supports contemporary public art practice. It views the development of its public art collection as a complement to the activities of teaching and research that constitute the University’s mission.
Concordia’s public art strategy, vision and actions are built on these previous efforts and the input of the Public Art Advisory Committee formed in summer 2024. The priorities set out in this strategy will guide the next three years of development of the public art collection and the implementation of ethically, intentionally, and carefully expanded programs.
Strategic priorities
The Advisory Committee and Public Art Lead propose five strategic categories that are tied to the University’s pedagogical mandate, artistic and community concerns and the ethical management of the collection.
The public art collection is a valuable pedagogical resource that provides support to formal teaching across academic disciplines. Creating opportunities for student involvement such as through internships and co-curricular learning is encouraged. Through guided tours, animation, and experiential learning, the collection will contribute to critical thinking, discovery, and stimulating conversations.
Action priorities
- Create an inter-departmental Public Art Residency
- Create and support new learning opportunities in line with Concordia’s Learning for Impact Strategic Plan, centered on public art through strategic internal and external partnerships
The collection will encourage creativity by providing artistic and experiential learning opportunities for contemporary artists and supporting emerging and established artists within Concordia’s publicly accessible spaces. This will be accomplished by commissioning original permanent and temporary public artworks and through the engagement of artists and curators with the collection and the continued partnerships with internal and community actors.
Action priorities
- Honouring Black Presence at Concordia public artwork program launch
- Identify areas for permanent and temporary public art installations
- Create an Indigenous Public Art Project
Through public art programming activities, outreach, strategic partnerships and cultural mediation in public space, Concordia will engage with its colonial legacies and create space for underrepresented and underacknowledged voices including Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and women artists. Concordia’s public art will become a reflection of Concordia’s diverse community identity and that of greater Montreal.
Action priorities
- Repatriate and/or better represent Indigenous Peoples’ artworks
- Improve accessibility through signage and web
- Create thematic public art audio-guided tours
Leading in the responsible maintenance of public art in Montreal by ensuring adequate funding and expertise in conserving the collection will allow future generations to continue to have access to the public art collection.
Action priorities
- Plan for yearly maintenance for the next five years
- Procure and populate an online art collection database
- Create a disaster plan
Diversified funding for conservation, acquisition, programs and engagement through operational funds, private donations and public funding sources will not only ensure the longevity and sustainability of the collections but support and provide value to pedagogy and research at Concordia. Strategic partnerships such as with the Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery, Faculty of Fine Arts and other community groups will allow expanded opportunities.
Action priorities
- Create a Public Art Programming Fund/Endowment
- Identify research funding through faculty members that intersects with programming or the collection
- Identify donors through University Advancement for acquisitions, programs and engagement
