The Lobby Gallery at the Liu Institute for Global Issues, part of UBC’s School of Public Policy and Global Affairs (SPPGA), invites proposals for its new exhibition season. We seek innovative, politically driven projects that engage with the concept of solidarity. Selected proposals will be exhibited for a period of 6-10 weeks in 2026.
Deadline: December 1, 2025.
Theme
Solidarity can mean and look like a lot of different things to different people, and it has taken many forms throughout history. Solidarity invites us to show up not only for those who experience similar forms of oppression, but also across difference, discomfort, and complexity. Solidarity is an active, evolving process of relationship-building, accountability, and transformation. We invite proposals that explore solidarity as a strategy, structure, and embodied practice.
Proposals could address, but are not limited to, these topics and questions:
- The politics of interdependence and community care
- What does it mean to be in solidarity with others, even when the stakes, risks, and relationships are not equal?
- Protests, strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience
- Archival research exploring historical examples of solidarity
- Education, raising awareness of a particular struggle
- How might creative work express or enact solidarity beyond symbolic gestures?
- Strategies for building solidarity
- Exploration of barriers to solidarity
- How can solidarity be grounded in access, interdependence, and collective liberation?
Over the past two years collective solidarity with Palestine has grown exponentially. Millions of people around the world have participated in marches, protests, and the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Palestinian activists, leaders, and their allies are being heard louder and clearer than ever before. The new exhibition cycle’s theme is inspired by this ongoing global movement.
Please note that the Lobby Gallery welcomes diverse and expansive interpretations of the theme. We are eager to read your ideas and perspectives!
Who should apply?
Artists, researchers, scholars, collectives, and collaborators. Whether you have a formal or occasional artistic practice, are an arts-based researcher, or otherwise have ideas for creative methods of knowledge dissemination, you are welcome to apply.
Applicants can submit a wide range of media, disciplines, and methodologies, which may include painting, drawing, photography, collage, textiles, poetry, or other approaches to artmaking and presentation.
We encourage collaboration among UBC students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the wider community. You do not need to be affiliated with UBC to apply!
Accessible Submission Guidelines
Our goal for the Solidarity exhibition series is to foster dialogue within and across diverse communities.
- Applications can be submitted in written, video, or audio formats.
- The call for proposals is available in accessible PDF and plain-text formats.
- We are happy to assist you with the application process. Please contact the curator at lobby.gallery@ubc.ca to discuss how we can best support you.
The venue offers easy access to UBC’s pedestrian paths and parkades and is wheelchair accessible. For more information about the space please refer to the SPPGA’s website here
Submission and Selection Process
To Submit a Proposal
- Complete the Applicant Form and attach all materials listed in the form’s Proposal Checklist
- Email everything to lobby.gallery@ubc.ca with the subject line: “Exhibition Proposal – [Your Name].”
- If submitting in written format, please clearly label your files.
- If submitting in video or audio format, include links to download or stream your materials.
The curatorial team will select proposals that
- Engage meaningfully with the theme
- Demonstrate an understanding of the physical gallery space
- Include all requested materials listed in the Proposal Checklist of the Applicant Form
- Invite community participation and facilitate dialogue
Selected applicants will be notified by the Lobby Gallery Curator by December 15, 2025. Successful applicants will begin working with the curator to determine an exhibition plan.
Click here to download the applicant form in PDF
Click here to download the applicant form in Word
