A Hoosier Herbarium
A Hoosier Herbarium is an interdisciplinary, collaborative project that is inspired by Indiana University’s herbarium and the histories of native plants it holds. Our team of artists, writers, and scientists will explore how we can tell the deep histories of native plants in fresh, imaginative ways—through visual art, poetry, essays, songs, and more. The project will result in an exhibition and an illustrated book showcasing creative responses that bring new life to the region’s botanical past and suggest ways of approaching its uncertain environmental future.
Drawing on the historical collections of the Indiana University Herbarium and the surrounding landscape, the project aims to reanimate regional botanical histories and foster new modes of environmental storytelling.
As we confront urgent questions about climate change, habitat loss, and biodiversity, A Hoosier Herbarium asks: What role do living archives play in our understanding of the environment’s past and future? What role can creative work play in reanimating plant histories and deepening public engagement with the more-than-human world? How might artistic responses to native flora reveal overlooked or under-told stories, foster ecological awareness, and model new ways of relating to place?
Through a curated exhibition and a published book, the project will generate public-facing creative works that deepen ecological awareness, bridge disciplines, and model collaborative approaches to environmental engagement. A companion performance component will further amplify the project’s reach by transforming selected contributions into song and live performance in partnership with local musicians.
The project emphasizes inclusivity, accessibility, and regional specificity, but its implications are far-reaching. In a time of ecological uncertainty, A Hoosier Herbarium demonstrates how the arts can open new paths for inquiry, connection, and care.