Evaluating the Impact of a Comprehensive Canadian Science-Art Residency Program on the Participating Scientist, Artist and the Public

Abstract

Science-art residencies can provide opportunities for insightful cross-disciplinary collaborations, science communication, and engagement with the general public. Currently, there are few formal ways for artists and scientists to collaborate in Canada, and even fewer publications on how these experiences can impact learning in informal settings. Art the Science (a Canadian non-profit organization facilitating cross-disciplinary relationships between artists and scientists) piloted a comprehensive multiphase science-art residency program. Phase 1 informed the artist’s work through a full-time experience in a scientific laboratory at an academic institution, Phase 2 showcased the artist’s final artwork, Between the Sand at an off-campus local community event, and Phase 3 published an interactive online version of the work for global exhibition. Residency evaluation in each phase was conducted through the use of qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, concept mapping, video diaries, and surveys. The artist, scientist and lab members gained new perspectives and inspiration about their respective fields. The artist was able to incorporate theories and processes from the research group into their artistic practice. On the other hand, the scientist saw renewed enthusiasm and curiosity within their research lab, and the lab members reported new ways of thinking about how to communicate their research. Both exhibitions proved to be engaging informal learning experiences for 66.2% of survey participants, and revealed several major learning themes. Despite promoting both events as artwork exhibitions, 79.2% of survey participants considered Between the Sand as both an artwork and a science communication product suggesting that science-based art may have the potential to communicate science, even when it is not presented as a science communication effort. Public responses revealed that public perception of funding is not skewed to either discipline and instead seems to call upon both science and arts grants to fund such interdisciplinary initiatives. Providing comprehensive artist residencies in science labs may have a valuable impact on everyone involved: the artist, the research group, and the public.

Grain & Noise - Artists in Synthetic Biology Labs

“…Qualitative case studies aim to demonstrate how the interaction of artists and scientists push the boundaries of scientific disciplines, help to envision new scientific approaches, and establish mission-driven relationships with stakeholders (Jung et al, 2022). Other approaches aim at substantiating insights from theories for questionnaires, in order to evaluate art and science collaboration programs along the lines of potential impact on individuals, participants, and on the audience (Lau et al, 2022). These endeavors attempt to show the value for all participants and contribute to an environment in which artists and scientists can collaborate on a level playing field.…”

Why create SciArt? An investigation into science artists' goals and professional journeys

“…Scholars argue that visual arts-based approaches boost interest and engagement with science by targeting the affective aspects of learning, rather than only the cognitive ones [Agostinho & Casaleiro, 2015;Grushka, Hope, Clement, Lawry & Devine, 2018;Pirrie et al, 2018]. More broadly, SciArt is celebrated as a way to disseminate science beyond the scientific community [Lau, Barriault & Krolik, 2022;Prem, 2019], especially to hard-to-reach or disinterested audiences who would not otherwise seek out science information [Rosin, Wong, O'Connell, Storksdieck & Keys, 2021]. For these and other reasons, collaborations between scientists and artists continue to attract attention within the academic community [Nature, 2021;Oliveira, 2015;Swanson, 2015].…”

“…Other attempts to build connections between science and art have taken the form of funding initiatives, most notably the U.K.'s Wellcome Trust's SciArt program, which financed collaborative projects between artists and scientists for 10 years [Glinkowski & Bamford, 2009;Sleigh & Craske, 2017]. More recently, universities, research institutes, and nonprofits have invested in SciArt "residencies" [e.g., Lau et al, 2022;Prem, 2019], which place artists into research labs where they engage with scientists, explore scientific techniques, reflect on new findings, and produce art informed by these experiences. Initiatives such as SciArt Exchange 7 or Lifeology SciComm University program 8 also provide opportunities for building skills or knowledge of SciArt via online courses and training opportunities.…”