The Living Museum Project 2026

1. The Living Museum Project
Transforming Everyday Spaces into Recurring Cultural Environments
A 12-Month Public Art Initiative Based on Recurring Activation, Participation, and Zero-Waste Installation Systems
Latest Update (April 21, 2026) Gymnasium access officially confirmed at OSS Academy, SD42 Riverside Centre.
Principal Tricia has granted full permission for monthly large-scale installations throughout 2026, seamlessly integrated into the academy’s existing gymnasium reservations.
Submitted to the Canada Council for the Arts
 
2. Project Overview
The Living Museum Project is a municipally-scalable, zero-waste public art model that aligns with Canada Council priorities of access, arts education and community engagement.
Rather than presenting art as a one-time event, the project introduces a “Monthly Museum” model, in which temporary installations are repeatedly activated within the same locations — primarily school gymnasiums and civic environments.
40 installations delivered over one year
Each installation completed in a single-day cycle (8 hours)
Zero-waste hand-stacked cup system — all materials recovered and reused
Anchor Site: OSS Academy Gymnasium, SD42 Riverside Centre (monthly from September 2026)
Distributed across additional schools and civic venues in Metro Vancouver
“Art is no longer a one-time visit. It becomes part of everyday school life.”

3. Project Objectives
3.1 Increasing Access to Contemporary Art
High-quality, large-scale participatory installations brought directly into everyday community spaces.
3.2 Community Engagement
Active participation through workshops, open installations, and shared experiences for students, educators, and families.
3.3 Cultural Infrastructure Development
Repositioning school gymnasiums as accessible, recurring cultural environments.
3.4 Repetition-Based Impact Model
Cumulative impact generated through repeated cultural presence rather than single events.
3.5 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility
Multilingual materials (English, Korean, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese), ground-level participation, Indigenous co-design consultation, and full digital accessibility.

4. Pilot Success at SD42 Riverside Centre
Successful pilot installations and student workshops have already been delivered at SD42 Riverside Centre.
The Principal of OSS Academy has granted full permission for continued monthly gymnasium use throughout 2026.