The Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) is proud to announce the fifth cohort of the Artist + Researcher (ARx) program (ARx5). This initiative pairs local Phoenix artists with leading scientists and researchers to explore the intersections of art and science.
Launched in 2021, ARx has grown into a celebrated collaboration that highlights the deep interconnectedness of creativity and discovery. Through a unique pairing process, artists and researchers work together over the course of several months to translate complex scientific concepts into dynamic works of art. Each piece reflects the shared narrative of scientific innovation and artistic imagination, offering the community a new way to engage with the groundbreaking research taking place in Phoenix.
ARx5 will continue this tradition, inviting applications from local artists interested in collaborating with researchers from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, the University of Arizona, the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), and other PBC-based organizations. Selected artists will be matched with researchers through a guided process, creating original works that will debut in a public exhibition in 2026.
“ARx is about building bridges—between disciplines, institutions, and communities,” said Cindy Ivy, Interim PBC Arts Committee Chair. “With ARx5, we’re excited to welcome new voices into the program and see how artists and researchers can inspire each other in ways that spark conversation and expand understanding.”
Now we are pleased to introduce you to the ARx5 Artist and Researcher pairings!
About the Artist + Researcher Program
The Artist + Researcher program (ARx) pairs local Phoenix artists with researchers and scientists from Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix, the Translational Genomics Research Institute, and PBC biotech companies. Artists and researchers were paired into teams through a speed-dating style event in November 2023, where they ranked their preference of who they would like to work with. The PBC Arts Committee then used those rankings to finalize the teams. The ARx teams then worked together over the course of nine months to transform the groundbreaking life science research happening on the campus of the PBC into a variety of art mediums, including sculpture, painting, and digital. What emerged at the end are eight incredibly unique pieces of art.
About the Phoenix Bioscience Core
The Phoenix Bioscience Core (PBC) is a 30-acre life sciences innovation district located in downtown Phoenix. It hosts Arizona’s three public research universities—Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona—as well as leading genomics pioneers like the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), part of the City of Hope, and the International Genomics Consortium. The PBC also collaborates with major healthcare systems, including Banner Health, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dignity Health, HonorHealth, Phoenix VA, and Valleywise Health, alongside a growing number of emerging life science companies. This unique concentration of research scientists and healthcare professionals fosters unprecedented collaborations, advancing precision medicine from discovery to delivery. To learn more, please visit phoenixbiosciencecore.com.
By: Madisson Simental | January 29, 2026