Create the Future Visual Identity of Indigenous House
Indigenous House is inviting submissions of original artwork that will inspire the creation of a new logo for Indigenous House.
The new logo will join the visual identities of our other Living Learning Communities (LLCs), including Arts House (Mills Hall), Eco House (Dundas Hall), International House (Dundas Hall), and Leadership House (Dundas Hall).
This contest is an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous creativity, storytelling, and cultural expression while helping shape the future visual identity of Indigenous House.
Must be an original artwork created by the University of Guelph student.
Send a clear photo or PDF showing the entire piece (JPEG, PNG, or PDF).
An artist statement (250–500 words).
Tell us about your inspiration and your connection to Indigenous House and/or First Nations, Inuit, or Métis culture(s).
Your name + U of G email address.
Your submission should reflect your own cultural knowledge and lived experiences.
Please ensure that any cultural symbols, stories, or teachings you share follow relevant cultural protocols and responsibilities.
Ownership & Intellectual Property
Artists retain copyright of their original artwork.
By entering the contest:
Finalists grant permission for their artwork to be displayed for community voting purposes.
The selected artist grants the Student Housing Services at the University of Guelph permission to adapt elements of the artwork into an official Indigenous House logo.
The selected artist grants permission for their original artwork to be permanently displayed in Indigenous House.
Student Housing at the University of Guelph will acknowledge the artist's contribution through unveiling and recognition activities related to the artwork and logo development.
Artist statements may be edited for length and clarity in consultation with the artist.
Awards & Recognition
Finalists
Each of the three finalists will receive a $100 honorarium.
Winning Artist
The winning artist will receive:
A $500 honorarium
The finalist honorarium of $100
Permanent display of their artwork in Indigenous House
Recognition at the artwork unveiling event
The artwork will be displayed in a protective plexiglass frame and accompanied by the artist's name and artist statement.
From Artwork to Logo
The winning artwork will serve as inspiration for the development of a new Indigenous House logo.A professional graphic designer will work with themes and visual elements from the selected artwork to create a functional logo for use in signage, communications, and marketing materials.
The final logo may not be an exact reproduction of the artwork. Instead, it will translate the artwork's themes, symbolism, and meaning into a visual identity for Indigenous House.
Current Indigenous House residents, the Indigenous Student Centre and/or Office of Indigenous Initiatives, and the winning artist will have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed logo design before it is finalized.
Student Housing reserves the right not to select a winning submission if entries do not align with the purpose, values, and spirit of Indigenous House.
Artwork Selection Process
Review of Submissions
All eligible submissions will be reviewed and narrowed down to three finalists by a selection committee consisting of:
Two student representatives from Indigenous House
One staff member from the Indigenous Student Centre and/or Office of Indigenous Initiatives
The Manager, Academic and Living Learning Communities
Finalists will be selected based on how effectively their artwork reflects Indigenous House as an intercultural community that centers Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing.
Community Voting
The three finalist artworks, along with their artist statements, will be displayed in Indigenous House.
Current Indigenous House residents will select the winning piece through a community vote.
Winner Recognition
The winning artist will be invited to an unveiling celebration in Indigenous House and will have the opportunity to speak about their artwork and creative inspiration.
Submission Deadline
Submit your artwork, artist statement, and contact information through the online form by Friday, October 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern).
We encourage all eligible students to share their creativity, culture, and stories through this exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Indigenous House.
Questions?
Email Lindsay Core, the manager of Academic & Living Learning Communities: alc-llc-manager@uoguelph.ca
