The University of Colorado School of Public Health uses a science-informed art approach, taking social practice art into the public health arena. Before making art on an exhibition topic, artists are fully trained about the issue at hand so that they can become ambassadors for the health topic through their art. This allows artists to present their artwork from an informed, accurate, broad, and diverse place, with a deeper understanding of the science behind the health concern. Last June, a  science informed art exhibition, Hear/Say, was held in Denver to explore the impact of high concentration cannabis on youth, pregnant people, and mental health. We are currently seeking  new artists to create original art works to expand on the exhibition in  two locations, Fort Collins and Colorado Springs (venues to be determined). The art works will ultimately be acquired by the University. Artists in the Fort Collins and Colorado Springs communities will be prioritized, but submissions from any Colorado-based artist will be accepted. Ten (10) finalists will be chosen and paid a stipend of $500/each to attend a ten (10) hour virtual training where they will learn from experts and those personally affected by the use of high concentration cannabis. Each finalist will then be required to submit a proposal and four (4) of these ten (10) artists will be chosen for a stipend of $2,500/each to create original works. All work must be completed no later than June 30, 2025. 

Background About HB1317,  Science-Informed Art, and the Hear/Say Exhibition

The cannabis landscape has evolved rapidly over the past ten years since legalization in Colorado. Of particular concern are rising levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis products. THC is the part of the cannabis plant that makes people feel “high.” In 2014, THC concentrations were 15% in flower and 40% in concentrated products. Today, THC concentrations typically range from 10-30% in flower and 60-90% in concentrated products. The Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 1317 in 2021 that tasked the Colorado School of Public Health with addressing the topic in three ways:

1. Conduct a systematic review of research on the physical and mental health effects of high-potency THC marijuana and concentrates

2. Establish a scientific review council to make recommendations to the Colorado General Assembly about evidence-based regulatory changes and funding of additional research

3. Create a public education campaign on the health effects of high-potency THC marijuana

The systematic review has been finished. From the findings, the scientific team decided it was important to develop an educational campaign about the impacts of high concentration THC cannabis (HCC) products on youth, pregnant and parenting people, and mental health. As part of that educational campaign, we have used  an innovative approach to educate the public through art exhibitions with both youth and adult artists. Each artist is trained on the research team’s findings and then asked to create original works using a science informed art practice to address the effects of high concentration cannabis on youth, mental health, or pregnancy. 

Application Requirements

Name and contact information, including telephone number and email

5-10 images of previous works

CV, including exhibition history

Explanation of your interest in this project. Specifically: 

Why are  you interested in participating in this exhibition? 

What is your experience with high concentration cannabis, either positive or negative? 

Even though you have not been through the training, how do you imagine you would incorporate the topic of high concentration cannabis into your artwork or medium?

Do you have any possible conflicts of interest in participating in the exhibition?  

A conflict of interest includes relationships (paid and unpaid) with entities that could benefit materially (financially) from the exhibition and project, or entities supported by groups that may have a financial stake in the outcome of the project (such as advocacy groups or businesses). A conflict may include employment with an organization that lobbies and/or advocates for the topic of high concentration cannabis for which the committee advises. Any such relationship does not necessarily constitute a conflict of interest, we just ask for transparency as far as outside influences. 

In your letter, please confirm that you understand for the $500, we expect you to:

 Participate in 10 hours of training on high concentration cannabis, some of which will be self-paced and some of which will be via zoom meetings

Create a detailed proposal, within two weeks after the training has been completed, about what you would make if selected as a finalist, and how it relates to the topic of high concentration cannabis

If selected as a finalist, you will receive a stipend of $2,500 to create an original work to be displayed in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs which then becomes part of the collection at the University of Colorado School of Public Health.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists from Fort Collins and Colorado Springs will be prioritized, but we will accept artists from anywhere in Colorado.