🎨 Fine Arts Meeting — Studio Art & Indigenous Studies Path — May 26, 2026

Notion page 36c3e622054d81aea563e3fe5ffdf92f · https://app.notion.com/p/36c3e622054d81aea563e3fe5ffdf92f Page snapshot 2026-05-26T16:52:45Z · cached 2026-08-13 Linked from film-media-as-knowledge-practice.md § References. This is the Concordia pathway meeting that sits upstream of the Renaud relationship — the institutional route into First Peoples Studies.

📅 Meeting Overview

Date: May 26, 2026
Recruiter: Fine Arts Undergraduate Recruiter
Department: Studio Arts (BFA Intermedia)
Next Meeting: June 1, 2026 with Élise (Indigenous Studies Recruiter)
Key Outcome: Strong alignment with BFA Intermedia program, particularly AI performance and interactive storytelling components. Confirmed path forward with Indigenous Studies integration.

🎯 Program Pathways Identified

Pathway 1: Intermedia Major + Art History Minor (Recommended Start)

Total Credits: 90 (60 Intermedia + 30 Art History)
Portfolio Required: 15–20 pieces for admission
Focus Areas:
- Electronic Arts: robotics, programming, immersive environments
- Performance Art: body as medium, interactive experiences
- Video Art: production, theory, and experimental approaches
- Indigenous Art History: ARTH 376 course available

Key Courses

IMCA 220: Introduction to Critical Intermedia Practices (3 cr)
IMCA 300: Art, Techne, and Critical Practices (3 cr)
IMCA 400: Advanced Practices in Video, Performance and Electronic Arts (6 cr)
ARTH 353: Technology and Contemporary Art (3 cr)
ARTH 376: Topics in Indigenous Art (3 cr)

Alignment with Your Work

Interactive AI narrative systems (matching your AI character work)
Immersive storytelling environments (aligns with your choose-your-own-adventure experiments)
Technology education through art (matches your interest in making AI accessible)
Gallery exhibition opportunities (first-time gallery showing interest)

Pathway 2: Double Major — Studio Art + Indigenous Studies

Total Credits: 105–120 (60 Studio + 45–60 Indigenous Studies)
Intensity: High workload but manageable with AI assistance
Process: Start with Studio Art, apply for second major later
To Clarify June 1: Exact requirements, admission criteria, integration possibilities

Research Alignment

Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) methodology
Shawn Wilson's Indigenous research paradigm (Research is Ceremony)
Indigenous ontology and epistemology in AI design
OCAP principles (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession)
Ceremonial knowledge frameworks in technology

Pathway 3: Studio Art Major + Indigenous Studies Minor

Total Credits: 90 (60 Studio + 30 Indigenous)
Balance: Lighter workload while maintaining both interests
Best For: If double major proves too intensive

🎨 Studio Opportunities Discovered

Gallery Exhibition Options

FOFA Gallery: Faculty of Fine Arts main exhibition space
VAV Gallery: Student-run gallery (democratically jury-selected)
MFA Gallery: Graduate thesis shows and diverse media exhibitions
Leonard & Bina Ellen Art Gallery: Contemporary art focus, presents Ignition show for grad students each spring

Community Engagement

Bâtiment 7 Community Arts Residency: $2,000 honorarium + $500 supplies
- Partnership between Art Volt and Office of Community Engagement
- Located in Pointe Saint-Charles
- Support for community-based art projects
- Ideal for your interest in constructing creative spaces

Professional Development

AI & Creativity Summer Intensive: Course exploring generative AI as collaborative creative tool
Research Assistant Positions: Opportunities to work with faculty on AI/performance projects
University Employment: Developer/research assistant roles available across departments

📚 Academic Fields Relevant to Your Interests

Intermedia Arts

Study of art practices crossing boundaries between electronic, performance, and video media.

Key Topics: AI-generated performance and robotics · Interactive installation systems · Immersive environments and spatial computing · Body-technology interfaces · Sound art and music visualization

Relevance: Direct alignment with your AI narrative work, terminal agents, and music visualization projects (gtmvid).

Indigenous Research Methodologies

Research paradigms centering Indigenous ontology, epistemology, and relationality.

Key Scholars: Shawn Wilson (Research is Ceremony) · Albert Marshall (Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing) · Marie Battiste (Indigenous knowledge systems)

Key Concepts: Relationality as foundation of reality · Research as ceremony and relational accountability · Two-Eyed Seeing: integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge · Knowledge as relationship-building rather than extraction

Relevance: Framework for your multi-agent narrative systems, ceremonial approach to technology development, and Indigenous-informed AI architecture.

Indigenous Art History

Visual culture and artistic practices of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples from pre-contact to present day.

Key Topics: Cultural significance, techniques, materials · Land, spirituality, representation · Colonial encounter impacts · Decolonizing art practices

Relevance: Provides cultural framework for your ceremonial approach to technology and narrative work.

Creative Technology

Intersection of computational tools with artistic expression and cultural practices.

Key Topics: Generative AI in creative workflows · Human-AI collaboration ethics · Cultural preservation through technology · Interactive narrative systems · Educational technology accessibility

Relevance: Core to your terminal agents (gmtermux), music tools, Narrative Context Protocol, and AVEN project.

Performance Studies

Academic field examining performance as artistic, cultural, and social practice.

Key Topics: Body as medium and performative expression · Immersive audience experiences · Technology-augmented performance · Cultural performance traditions · Performative pedagogy

Relevance: Connects to your immersive storytelling interest and educational technology work.

💼 Practical Considerations

Portfolio Requirements

Number of Pieces: 15–20
Submission Platform: Slideroom (department web application)
Interactive Work: Record video demonstrations or build small presentations
Deadline: March 1, 2026 (new applicants) or February 1, 2026 (internal transfers/double majors)

Application Process

Complete Concordia online admissions application
Receive Concordia ID number
Create portfolio (15–20 pieces)
Write letter of intent
Submit through Slideroom

Employment Opportunities

Research assistant positions in Fine Arts
Developer roles supporting faculty research
Cinema scripting and technical support
Cross-departmental AI/technology projects

🔍 Questions for June 1 Meeting with Élise

What does First Peoples Studies major (45 credits) look like year-by-year?
Is Major in First Peoples Studies + Minor in Intermedia/Studio Art viable?
Specific admission criteria for First Peoples Studies?
How are applicants with prior university credits (~30 credits master's level) evaluated?
Which courses align with Indigenous research methodologies and Two-Eyed Seeing?
Research labs or faculty working at intersection of Indigenous knowledge and technology?
Special admissions pathway for mature students with professional experience?

🎯 Next Steps

Prepare 15–20 piece portfolio (include interactive AI work demonstrations)
Draft letter of intent emphasizing AI narrative work and Indigenous frameworks
Research faculty working in Intermedia + Indigenous intersections
Attend June 1 meeting with Élise to clarify Indigenous Studies pathway
Compile prior university transcripts (~30 credits digital art master's)
Explore AI & Creativity Summer Intensive program details
Consider attending VAV Gallery exhibitions to understand student work

🌟 Key Insights

Exciting Alignment: The BFA Intermedia program directly supports your work in AI-driven interactive narratives, immersive performance environments, educational technology and accessibility, music visualization and composition, terminal-based creative tools.

Indigenous Integration: Multiple pathways exist — Art History minor includes Indigenous art courses; full Indigenous Studies major or minor options; research opportunities at intersection of technology and Indigenous knowledge; Two-Eyed Seeing methodology applies directly to your multi-perspective agent systems.

Professional Path: University resources can replace personal studio limitations — access to robotics and immersive environment facilities, AI performance art support and mentorship, gallery exhibition opportunities for first-time showing, research assistant employment, community arts residency funding.

Ceremonial Frame: Your statement "we are participating in a ceremony to develop knowledge" aligns with Shawn Wilson's "Research is Ceremony" framework, suggesting deep resonance between your approach and Indigenous research methodologies.

📎 Resources

📊 Three Program Pathways at a Glance

Aspect	Pathway 1: Intermedia + Art History	Pathway 2: Double Major	Pathway 3: Studio + Indigenous Minor
Total Credits	90	105–120	90
Indigenous Focus	Light (Art History minor)	Strong (Full major)	Moderate (30 credit minor)
AI/Tech Art	Strong (Intermedia core)	Strong (Intermedia base)	Strong (Intermedia core)
Workload	Moderate	Intensive	Moderate
Best For	Focused start with flexibility	Deep Indigenous research integration	Balanced approach
Timeline	Standard 3–4 years	4–5 years	Standard 3–4 years
Portfolio	15–20 pieces	15–20 pieces	15–20 pieces
Key Advantage	Clean path, gallery access early	Research methodology depth	Balance without overload