Art can have a transformative effect on world views. Our long-term goal is to bring artistic ways of knowing into the discussion around development and conservation in the Okanagan valley, a region under much environmental pressure.

The University, with its access to rich resources – both technical and human — and as a research-focused body, has a unique opportunity to link the art-making community with local government, concerned groups, the school system, and business. We want to make these connections.

We realize that our location in the interior of British Columbia means that many in our community perceive that influential art-making happens elsewhere. The Eco Art Incubator is meant to build new artistic practices and structures with our region’s unique resources and location and to make art that matters to this place.