BIOART IN CANADA

2026-2027

BioArt in Canada is a national research initiative supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) Knowledge Synthesis Grant. The project examines bioart in Canada as a dynamic and evolving field situated at the intersection of contemporary art, biological sciences, technology, and critical theory.

Through research, mapping, interviews, and public engagement, the project is documenting artists, laboratories, residency programs, collectives, and institutional networks working with living systems across the country. It investigates how Canadian bioart intersects with biotechnology, microbiology, tissue engineering, biofabrication, ecological practices, and feminist, Indigenous, and decolonial approaches to knowledge production.

By identifying key developments, challenges, and opportunities, BioArt in Canada aims to strengthen understanding of the field, support future research and policy development, and foster greater visibility for artists and organizations working at the forefront of bioart practice.

 

Principal Investigator: Dr. WhiteFeather Hunter

PhD Research Assistant: Ludmila Lima de Morais

Host Infrastructure: Critical Media Art Studio (cMAS), School of Interactive Arts & Technology, Simon Fraser University (Dr. Gabriela Aceves-Sepúlveda, Director)

Project Partner: Art/In Forum, Laboratory for Artistic Intelligence (Helen Yung, Chief Artistic Officer)

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More to come.