Youth-Led, Community-Engaged Arts Program Explored Rising Ocean Levels

A non-profit arts organization created a portable, interactive, mult-media installation for indoor and outdoor locations across British Columbia that explored how rising sea levels are affecting ocean-bound communities.

Grant supports installation highlighting rising ocean levels

Titled Emergence, this multi-phased project looked at the impacts of rising ocean levels—and the intellectual, emotional and physical responses they provoke—through a compact, transportable, multi-media installation that could easily and affordably tour to indoor and outdoor locations across British Columbia. Its portable nature allowed it to transform gymnasiums, dance studios and open halls into immersive art experiences.

Led by youth, supported by established artists

The first phase of the project focused on building the prototype installation space and live media arts show. To prepare for tours to other communities, the project was shared with children between the ages of eight and 13 for their review. Three media arts companies supported the youth artists.

With this project, Deer Crossing the Art Farm built on four years of previous work involving youth and children as collaborators. It also formalized the integration of Indigenous teachings and values into its creative process.