Digital Arts Resource Centre is an intersectional feminist organization – We are also a not-for-profit, artist-run media art centre that fosters the growth and development of artists through access to equipment, training, mentorship, and programming. Our mission is to support a diverse community of media artists empowered by technology, programming and the exchange of ideas.
DARC does not support AI projects at this time as it goes against our values as an organization. We believe in paying artists for their work, and are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering a safe and welcoming environment for artists regardless of race, age, class, gender, sexual orientation, language, or ability. The current state of AI raises concerns about ethics and programmed biases, and the current speed of technological development has hindered the much-needed legislation of AI technologies. In light of this risk, and in an effort to maintain DARC’s organizational values and align with our current strategic plan, we will therefore not be accepting work created with or using the support of generative AI tools.
Currently, AI as it concerns DARC in the form of image and text generators (e.g chatGPT, Dall-e, LUMA Dream Machine, etc) references artists and their materials without citation1 2, is severely taxing on the environment3, and is non-transparent in its machine learning algorithms4. We do recognize there hasn’t been sufficient space to explore this as a tool since it’s become so polarized so quickly (mostly thanks to corporations adding it to everything). We applaud the efforts of UKAI Projects, VideoPool and Mutek’s AI Ecologies to bring the human experience back to these technologies.
This policy is subject to change as AI evolves, with the hope it becomes more ethical, transparent and environmentally sustainable.
When you submit to DARC grants, residences, or exhibitions, your work is reviewed by an external jury (not Staff) who reads and reviews each application. Our external reviewers are composed of DARC Members just like those applying – you are being reviewed by your peers, not by a computer. Think about how you want an esteemed colleague to feel about your work. How would you describe your project to an enthusiastic and curious friend?
Artworks created using AI that present a credible argument for its use in an ethical and sustainable way are permitted but highly discouraged and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We understand that some production software (i.e. Adobe Suite) contains pre-programmed AI functionalities, and while we do not penalize the use of these programs, we ask that you do not make use of these tools when using such software.
While AI has been implemented in some use-cases to reduce barriers, (e.g text to speech, screen readers), DARC can provide other means of accommodating applicants with additional support needs. Application assistance is available during the call for proposals for anyone who faces disability-related barriers to completing an online application and/or Indigenous applicants facing language, geographic and/or cultural barriers within the online application process. In addition to the online application, DARC will also accept proposals via phone, video, or audio file as needed by the applicant.
If more support is needed, we encourage you to contact our Community Access and Education Coordinator by emailing access@digitalartsresourcecentre.ca.
REFERENCES
1 Thousands call on Christie’s to cancel AI art auction in open letter, CNN (February 11, 2025)
2 Generative AI Has an Intellectual Property Problem, Gil Appel, Juliana Neelbauer and David A. Schweidel (April 7, 2023)
3 The Environmental Impact of ChatGPT: Navigating the Digital Footprint (May 29, 2024)
4 Nobody knows how AI works, Melissa Heikkilä (March 5, 2024)
RESOURCES
Topaz Video AI Review 2025, Sherry Johnson (May 21, 2024)
67 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 7B9