Art can be a catalyst in the co-creation of new knowledge for the benefit of society. Given the urgency of the water-climate crisis and the proven role of art in outreach, engagement, inspiration, and action, we will assess the impact of the art created as part of this project on people’s attitudes towards climate change, climate action, and water futures.
Three surveys were created to allow an opportunity for both visitors and contributing scientists and artists to share opinions of their gallery viewing experience: a two-part survey for visitors to the physical Virtual Water Gallery exhibition that took place from May 21 to June 17, 2022 at artsPlace (Canmore, AB), a two-part survey for visitors to the online Virtual Water Gallery, and a survey for participants of the Virtual Water Gallery.
The pre-survey for in-person and virtual gallery viewers collects baseline knowledge regarding attitudes towards the climate-water nexus and art through a multiple choice response format.
The post-survey for both in-person and virtual gallery viewers features more open-ended questions to inquire about the experience, changes in knowledge and awareness, what responders enjoyed and did not enjoy, the role of art in research (and vice versa), and whether the Virtual Water Gallery art viewing experience has any changing effects.
The survey for scientists and artists who contributed to the gallery pieces and associated research measures the personal impacts they experienced throughout the collaboration. The survey also seeks to share knowledge and catalyze dialogue for future art in research initiatives.
Ultimately, the surveys aim to capture changed perspectives, attitudes, and opinions from the artists, researchers, and art exhibit viewers who attended or contributed to the art-science collaboration. The survey responses will be analyzed and will contribute to a journal article.
Survey Creation & Analysis
You can take part in the two-part survey for online visitors here until October 18, 2022: https://www.virtualwatergallery.ca/survey
Want to contribute to advancing art-science?
Support and Funding
Corinne Schuster-Wallace and Louise Arnal received a Connection Grant ($21,723) from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC Connection Grant # 611-2021-0301). This funded parts of the artists’ travels and stay in Canmore for the exhibit's grand opening, supplies for the exhibition, and these social science surveys. We thank the Town of Canmore, artsPlace, GWF and the CWRA for their support in securing this funding.
Bios
Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace is the Associate Director of the Global Water Futures program and Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Saskatchewan, Her work is focused on 4 main areas: local water security for health, water, disease and climate change, water and sustainable development and coupled system approaches. Corinne will be working with us to look at how much art is changing attitudes to water-climate challenges.
Dr. Louise Arnal is a scientist with a lifelong love of art. She is a postdoctoral fellow with GWF, as part of which she is leading the Virtual Water Gallery pilot project. She explores water-related topics using scientific tools on her computer and a diversity of artistic media (from watercolor paintings to multi-sensory immersive installations). You can see some of Louise's artworks on her website and connect with her on Twitter and on Instagram.
Effie Kosmas is a Graduate Research Assistant for the Dept. of Geography & Planning at the University of Saskatchewan. She completed her B.A & Sc. in Health Studies in 2021 and will be graduating with her Master's of Public Health (M.P.H) from the University of Saskatchewan in 2023. Her areas of research interest include examining the various interrelationships between the health of water bodies and humans.