SCI_ART 2025: The Landmark EU-Canada Symposium of Art, Science and Technology Takes On Kelowna, Ottawa and Montréal.

The European Union through its Delegation to Canada, SAW Gallery, the University of British Columbia, the Embassy of Slovenia  and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia , in partnership with Artengine, the Austrian Cultural Forum, the Austrian Embassy, Culture Ireland, the Embassy of Denmark, the Embassy of France, the Embassy of Ireland, the Embassy of Italy, the Embassy of Mexico, the Embassy of Poland, the Embassy of Portugal and the Italian Cultural Institute of Montreal, are proud to announce the 2025 edition of the SCI_ART Symposium, a landmark celebration at the crossroads of art, science, and technology. 

“The European Union has long championed collaboration across borders and disciplines. It is part of our DNA, with 27 Member States working together. This spirit also guides our international cooperation. SCI_ART is a remarkable example of how art, science, and technology can intersect to inspire new ideas, strengthen cultural ties, and foster innovation in addressing today’s global challenges,” says Geneviève Tuts, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada. “The European Union is proud to support the third edition of this symposium and, for the first time, a multi-city event, showcasing how Canadian and European artists and researchers can join forces to reimagine our shared and sustainable future.”

From October 3 to 12, 2025, SCI_ART will travel across Canada with programming in Ottawa, Kelowna, and Montréal, bringing together European, Canadian,  and international artists, scientists, and academics.

The 2025 festival evolves from a symposium into a multi-city festival, offering a broader program of exhibitions, artist talks, performances, and panel discussions. Themes will include sustainability and innovation, interspecies communication, frontier technologies, and creative approaches to climate challenges.

Highlights include:

• Ottawa (Oct 3–5): Panel discussions, special exhibitions, screenings, and workshops will take place at the Ottawa Art Gallery and SAW, featuring international pioneers from Ars Electronica, Artengine, and Sporobole. Register here. 

• Kelowna (Oct 7–8): Hosted at UBC Okanagan’s Critical Future Studio/Lab, the symposium will bring together international artists to engage with students, researchers, and the public on bio-art, AI, and climate innovation.  Register here. 

• Montréal (Oct 2): The Italian Cultural Institute in Montreal will host a roundtable featuring Brian Chen (Associate Professor, McGill University, Departments of Neurology & Neurosurgery and Medicine) alongside five artists from the European Union. Together, they will explore artistic collaborations with scientists and research addressing the Anthropocene, climate change, technology, and speculation.

For the third consecutive year, SCI_ART continues to grow, offering a unique platform where leading artists, scientists, and technologists come together to show how creative practice and scientific research can unite to address pressing challenges such as climate change, health, and social transformation. In 2024, SCI_ART welcomed over 1,000 participants from 14 countries. The 2025 festival aims to grow this impact by fostering new collaborations, inspiring dialogue, and strengthening EU–Canada ties in research, innovation, and culture.

The SCI_ART Festival reaffirms the EU’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, strengthening EU–Canada ties in research, innovation, and the arts. Together with European Union Member States, SAW, UBC, and cultural partners, SCI_ART 2025 will foster new collaborations, inspire dialogue, and explore how art and science can shape our shared future.

For press inquiries or to schedule an interview with the artists, please contact: 

European Union Public Diplomacy and Policy Outreach Project in Canada eupopcanada@gopa-pace.com

For press inquiries regarding the symposium in Ottawa, please contact Jason St-Laurent, SAW Gallery at jason@saw-centre.com

For press inquiries regarding the symposium in Kelowna, please contact David Bidwell UBC Okanagan Media Relations at david.bidwell@ubc.ca