The First Nations Garden, created in 2001, presents Quebec plant species in “natural” settings. It also presents the eleven First Nations living in Quebec and the relationships they have always maintained with nature and especially with the plant world. A highly contemporary interpretation pavilion is located in the heart of the Garden. One of its outside walls has intentionally been left empty, so that it can be used to display a work of art by a Native artist. The Garden is now looking to fill this space on the building and to contribute to promoting Native artists and their work.

Eligibility criteria:

• be an artist or craftsperson from one of the eleven First Nations in Quebec
• work in the field of contemporary art
• open to all (no experience necessary)

2004, Raymond Dupuis, Modern rituals reside in the ancient memory of the reeds	2006, Jean St-Onge, Kamishta-Kushpit	2009, France Trépanier, Cartographie imaginée

Concept: The piece must have a connection to the plant world, although it does not necessarily have to consist of plant material.

Production: The artist must create the piece in his or her own environment. For the moment we have no studio available for artists from remote communities.

Materials: Plants, wood, canvas, paper, cloth, leather, babiche, etc. (biodegradable materials may also be considered).

Medium: Oil, acrylic, pencil, pastels, photographic processes, etc. Multimedia installations or those with electrical or mechanical elements cannot be considered, since the Garden does not have the necessary technical resources.

Technique: Painting, installation, low relief, mixed, collage, engraving, basket-weaving, assembly, etc.

Support: The piece must have its own support (backing). No direct work on the concrete wall will be allowed.

Hanging: In accordance with the instructions of the pavilion’s architects, no piece of art will be allowed to damage its structure.

Lighting: A projector is available to illuminate the piece at night.

Ground: Since the space is also used for public foot traffic, no part of the piece may sit on the ground.

Installation: The artist must be present and assume responsibility when the piece is installed and dismantled, with the help of a technical crew.

Transport: The artist will be responsible for transporting the piece when it is installed and dismantled.

Selection: There will be a jury of several members with expertise in related fields. We will provide their names on request. The artist selected will receive an award of $2,200. No experience is necessary. The competition is open to all.

Condition: Expenses must be paid by the artist and can be reimbursed afterward.

*Guidelines for submitting digital videos: Videos may be submitted either on a DVD or as video files on a CD or DVD. Video files must be :

The piece of art will remain the property of the Montréal Botanical Garden for the length of the exhibition period, i.e. from June 21 to October 31, to be dismantled in spring 2013.

It will be accompanied by a soundtrack to introduce it to visitors. The soundtrack will be produced in French, English and the artist's language.

The window is not included in the dimensions of the wall.

Important dates:

Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on March 31, 2012, at:

Montréal Botanical Garden
First Nations Garden
4101, rue Sherbrooke Est
Montréal, Quebec
H1X 2B2