Growth on the Horizon is a student-initiated, arts-based project aimed at understanding, addressing, and healing from rape culture and gendered violence on campus. Co-created and coordinated by Sofia Misenheimer (MA Communication Studies; Women’s and Gender Studies) and Cassie Jones (Anthropology), the goal of the project is to bring together survivors, students, artists, allies, community organizers, faculty staff, and administration to develop solutions that respond to the need for individual, collective, and institutional forms of healing and care.

Supported by the Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies (IGSF, McGill), in collaboration with the Atwater Library and Computer Centre’s project “Addressing Gender-based Sexual Violence on Campuses in Montreal,” and many student organizations across the city, Growth on the Horizon stems from a three-year Status of Women Canada initiative to develop viable policy solutions, pedagogical strategies, and knowledge mobilization approaches to educational safety and wellness. The project will launch at McGill on March 22, 2018. 

“Altaring Solitude: Alone, Together”

A collaborative, secular shrine on-display at Growth on the Horizon to provide a moment of quiet self-reflection, meditation, and catharsis for students, faculty, and staff. Filled with found and handcrafted items representing growth from healing, the installation offered an immersive space to acknowledge instances of trauma or pain. Viewers were invited to leave items or messages on the shrine and take a flower in return.

Growth on the Horizon was honoured to have the participation of artists Goldjian and Wyï. 

I'm Not a Number This art installation questions the process of survivor disclosure to a trusted friend or faculty. What happens in the time between when survivors disclose and the time it takes to potentially phone a help line for resources? How might policy, training and awareness building aid in helping the community to support survivor disclosures compassionately? Come and participate in this interactive installation designed to highlight and provoke discussion about the complexity of disclosure and the need for policy and education that supports survivors disclosures.

(Top image: Dr. Sandra Weber contributing to the installation; middle image: close-up; bottom image: Tina Jones, co-creator of "I'm not a number," describing the art installation to a visitor at Growth on the Horizon)