MISSION, GOVERNANCE AND HISTORY

Posted on | by Sylvain Aubé

MISSION

Hexagram is an interdisciplinary network dedicated to research-creation addressing the relationships between arts, cultures and technologies. It comprises around forty co-researchers, about fifty collaborators, and a little over 200 students from various artistic disciplines related, in particular, to living arts, visual arts, design, and media arts, while also touching disciplines in the social sciences and humanities or natural sciences and engineering.

  • It promotes collaborative work and the sharing of facilities by federating human and material resources mainly from Université du Québec à Montréal and Concordia University, but also those of Université de Montréal, École de technologie supérieure, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Université Laval, and McGill University.
  • It supports the development of experimental or critical research-creation projects by offering residency programs and national and international mobility grants.
  • It helps explicate and disseminate the various methodological approaches and theoretical foundations of research-creation through the publication of books, radio broadcasts, and videographic material accessible online.
  • It organizes artistic and scientific events such as symposia, conferences, exhibitions, concerts, shows, and other creative forms in public space.
  • It creates opportunities for knowledge-sharing between experts from different creative disciplines and various fields of research by facilitating collaboration between members in interdisciplinary activities.
  • It encourages knowledge-sharing and exposure for emerging artist by developing partnerships with educational institutions, artistic organizations, and cultural businesses located in Quebec, Canada, and abroad.

Governance

Executive Committee
  • Alice Jarry, co-researcher, Concordia University.
  • Jean Dubois, co-researcher, Université du Québec à Montréal.
  • Jean-Ambroise Vesac, co-researcher, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue. 
  • Sofian Audry, Co-director, Université du Québec à Montréal.
  • Suzanne Paquet, co-researcher, Université de Montréal.
  • Emilie St-Hilaire, student member, Concordia University.
  • Danny Perreault, student member, Université du Québec à Montréal.
  • Albertine Thunier, student member, Université de Montréal
  • Frédéric Bigras-Burrogano, student member, Université du Québec à Montréal. (Substitute)
  • Co-director representing Concordia University
Representatives of Partner Institutions 
  • Alanna Thain, McGill University.
  • Bart Simon, Concordia University. 
  • David St-Onge, École de technologie supérieure.
  • Jean Dubois, Université du Québec à Montréal.
  • Jean-Ambroise Vesac, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
  • Marie-Christiane Mathieu, Université Laval.
  • Aleksandra Kaminska, Université de Montréal.
  • Yan Breuleux, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.
Board of Directors
  • Barbara Clausen, Vice-Dean for Research and Creation, Faculty of Arts, Université du Québec à Montréal.
  • Dominique Michaud, Representative of Associate Vice-President, Research, Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships, Concordia University.
  • Yan Breuleux, co-investigator member, UQAC-NAD.
  • Jean-Pierre Richer, Representative of Vice-Rector for Research, Creation and Diffusion, Université du Québec à Montréal.
  • Marc Ménard, Vice-Dean for Research and Creation, Faculty of Communication, Université du Québec à Montréal.
  • MJ Thompson, Associate Dean, Research, Faculty of Fine Arts, Concordia University.
  • A representative of the research office of one of the non-main partner universities [UQAC-NAD, in 2022].
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) Committee
  • Sofian Audry, UQAM.
  • Alanna Thain, McGill University.
  • Rilla Khaled, Concordia University.
  • André-Éric Létourneau, UQAM.
  • Elina Kasatkina, student member, UQAM

General Bylaws

HISTORY

In 2001, Hexagram Institute, a non-profit organization, received significant support from Valorisation-Recherche-Québec (VRQ) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI). This investment allowed for the creation of a research technology infrastructure and a platform for new media arts at Concordia and UQAM, in partnership with l’Université de Montréal.

This research platform served as a basis for the creation of the Hexagram Institute, providing a unique gathering point for research-creation in Montreal and the rest of Canada. Prior to its formation, university arts faculties in Montreal enjoyed an enviable reputation both nationally and internationally, but researchers and independent artists tended to work in isolation.

Hexagram became a crucial link in tying together the work of many of Quebec’s researcher-creators. Since its inception, numerous enduring partnerships have been made possible, not only in the university context, but also with industry, non-profit organizations, independent artists and cultural producers.

The Hexagram Institute ended in 2008 when the VRQ funds were depleted, leading to the formation of two new organizations: CINQ (Consortium en innovation numérique du Québec), an independent body supporting collaborations between universities and the commercial media industries, and two university-based research platforms (Hexagram-Concordia and Hexagram-UQAM).

Hexagram’s most recent development since its inception in 2001 is the partnership/consolidation with the former CIAM — Le Centre interuniversitaire des arts médiatiques (2001–2010, funded also by the FRQSC) which was also bringing together researchers from Uqam, Concordia and Université de Montréal. Hexagram and CIAM were supporting the same researchers, with Hexagram focusing on the transfer of technology and direct support for research-creation, while CIAM fulfilled its mission of training and support for students, transfer of knowledge, and dissemination of research. In addition, Hexagram and CIAM successfully united French and English Montreal University cultures.

In 2008, FRQSC evaluators recommended the merger of Hexagram-Concordia, Hexagram-UQAM and CIAM under the banner of HexagramCIAM. The mission was to establish a unique international network for research-creation in media arts, design and technology, specialized in research, training and dissemination. In Spring 2011, Hexagram | CIAM was born and funded (2011–14 FRQSC)

Now, in its state as a mature network, the organization is known as Hexagram.