Call for Student Submissions for Resilience & Connection: Artistic explorations of mental health

We are looking for student submissions for, “Resilience & Connection: Artistic explorations of mental health,” to be exhibited March 2025!

Event Overview

Resilience and Connection: Artistic explorations of mental health is a showcase of student art, brought to you by the McMaster Museum of Art, McMaster Student Wellness Centre, and the McMaster Centre for Advanced Research on Mental Health and Society (ARMS) initiative.

Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit artwork in the form of paintings, collage, photography, digital illustrations, or poetry, that reflects your personal mental wellness journey, based on one of the themes listed below. This showcase aims to initiate campus-wide discussions on mental health challenges and act as a powerful physical representation of a student-centred self-discovery process. The goal is to reduce stigma associated with mental health issues and provide a channel where students feel comfortable sharing personal struggles, which is an important first step towards improving mental wellness.

Overall, the program aims to have you:

Critically reflect and share your mental health journeys through artistic and creative lens
Share your perspectives on mental wellbeing and prompt discussion with like-minded students
Learn art-based techniques for managing mental health issues including depression and anxiety
Relieve stress through creating art

Themes for submission:

Resilience and sources of hope through adversity
A sense of connection & community
The diversity of student identity & the process of self-discovery
Expressions of well-being and self-care

See our Call for Submissions for more details about each of these themes!

Submission guidelines:

Canvas/photo/digital art dimensions: 16″ x 20″ OR 11″ x 14″ (other canvas dimensions may not be able to be mounted)
Maximum poem length: 25 lines

Where will the artwork be showcased?

Selected pieces of art will be mounted for display (location to be confirmed in February).

When will the showcase take place?

The artwork will be mounted late February, with a launch event in March.

How do I submit my art?

If you are interested in submitting to the showcase, please fill out this interest form to indicate your interest by January 30^th, 2025. This interest form is just so that we have an idea of how many pieces of art we might receive. This is not a commitment to submit, and there is no penalty or consequence to not submitting even if you have filled out this form. We only ask for your contact information in this form, and it should take no more than 5 minutes.

Once you complete this form, you will be sent the link to the submission form (due 11:59pm on February 7th)!

Artwork submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis, and we encourage you to submit early! Accepted artwork must be dropped off to the McMaster Museum of Art by 4:00pm on February 14th, 2025.

Important Deadlines

Interest Form Deadline: 11:59pm on January 30^th, 2025
Submission Form Deadline: 11:59pm on February 7^th, 2025
Art Drop-off Deadline: 4:00pm on February 14^th, 2025

Can I submit artwork anonymously?

While we will need to collect your name and email address, you can indicate at the time of submission if you would prefer not to have your name beside your artwork and remain anonymous during the showcase.

Can I submit more than one piece of artwork?

Yes, you may submit up to five pieces of artwork. These can be under the same theme, or different themes, using the same type of art or different types. You will have to complete a different submission form for each submission.

Who will be selecting the pieces for the showcase?

A group of 4-6 students who volunteer or work with the McMaster Museum of Art and ARMS will be making all decisions for which pieces of art to showcase, with support from staff. It will be a mix of undergraduate and graduate students, with a diversity of lived experiences and interests.

Please email arms@mcmaster.ca if you have any further questions!