GERMINATE
Plant School for Artists
10 days in October 2026
Deadline to apply: June 1st
With lectures by guest research biologists on:
Photosynthesis, plant/animal relations: polination and seedspreading, botanical poisons, foraging invasive plants for food and medicine, plant awareness, autonomy & inteligence,
Scientists:
Germinate is a ten day webinar for artists to learn about the Plant kingdom. The program offers daily video lectures and chats with 9 international botanists engaged in cutting edge research that explores biology, ecology and plant behaviour.
Guest scientists will describe a broad range of botanical phenomena from germination to photosynthesis
and attempt to define what it means to be a plant. Scientists will show how they develop their experiments, make observations and interpret their data.
Artists:
Biophilium residencies are designed to facilitate research that will enrich conceptual artists' practice within a small group of like minded creative people. Visual artists, writers, musicians, film makers and dancers are invited to apply. A jury selects a group of artists based on their portfolios and interests. Resident's are invited to present their creative practices to the group. Built into the 2 - 2.5 hours of daily programming are discussions, demonstrations, recommended assignments and show and tell. Participants are invited to also have short daily one-on-one meetings or studio visits with our director and the other residents in the group.
This program is especially designed for artists interested in the lives of plants, their experiences and abilities as well as human uses and botanical philiosophies, but you do not need to have any previous naturalist or biology experience to participate. Participants have opportunities to engage directly with scientists and bio artists.
Germinate Plant School for artists is a 10-day program for artists to learn about the Plant Kingdom. The virtual residencyconsists of daily live video lectures with international botanical researchers on a range of plant related topics & artist talks. You will You will be invited to participate in many short one on one meetings with artists working with plants around the world.
Built in to the 2 - 3 hours of daily lectures are discussions, suggested assignments and show and tell. The program is designed to give insight into plant knowledge from a wide range of perspectives and will offer a space to connect with like minded creative people.
Ayatana residencies are dedicated to facilitating research by conceptual artists. Visual artists, writers, poets, musicians and dancers are invited to apply. This residency will host seven selected international artists. No previous experience in biology is necessary but a portfolio showing your creative practice is required to apply.
Outline
Video talk topics will include:
You are invited to give a private artist talk to share your work with the group.
Botany 101: A crash course in plant physiology, ecology and automony with Biophilium director Alexis Williams.
Plant Intelligence & Botanical Sensory Experiences with the International Laboritory of Plant Neurobiology
Birds and the Bees: Pollination and seed dispersal
Horticulture, Botanical Gardens and Arboretums
Single Celled Photosynthesizing Organisms
Contemporary Artists Working with Live Plants
Studio Propagation Workshop
Eat the Invasives: Foraging for Edible and Medicinal Plants
Gorilla Planting and Native Plant Rescue for DIY local wildlife conservation
Cost:
$600 USD
Residency places are limited to 12 artists. Official invitations will be given to accepted applicants to help find grants and funding.
Biophilium and Ayatana alumni are invited to return with a collaborator.
No need to make a new applicaiton, if you’ve previously been accepted you’re in. This year you can invite a colaborator to join you in any of our 2026 10-day webinars. 2 artists for the price of one. Give it as a gift or split the fee.
Just fill out this form for each of you and send to ArtLovesScience@gmail.com
How to apply: Only applications that follow these guidelines will be considered.
1. Artist CV
2. Artist statement (about 200 words)
4. Portfolio 5 – 10 examples of your work
We are flexible and forgiving with application formats and deadlines. For best results let us know what you do and what you'd like to study with us as early as possible.
Residency places are limited to 18 artists.
Click here to see all the artists who have studied plants with us.
"Your residency has opened up so many doors for me in so many ways, including fostering meaningful connections with other artists around the world. Your residencies started me off on a great, ongoing adventure. My art has developed and grown tremendously since discovering Ayatana’s Biophilium."
Mary Abma, Symbiosis 2022, Biophilia & Germinate 2020 |
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I want to take all the Biophilium residencies.
It was honestly life-changing for me :)
Jenna Marks, Germinate 2021 |
This is the greatest residency! Apply!
- Allyssa Ellis, Germinate expedition leader |
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"I have new respect for the Plant beings I share my living environment with. Learning and sharing communication with them and the others of the residency group brought calmness and comfort to my heart. With the connections Ayatana provides for every one, I believe we have grown stronger with new research to lead us on an elevating journey."
-Blake Evans (Germinate 2018) |
"Each activity was thoughtfully chosen, and the experts were eager to share their knowledge, which created this wonderful climate of collaboration, exploration and inspiration. I didn't want to leave, but was eager to get back to my garden and home to create and also seek out experts in my area. Alex and her team run a well-organized and welcoming program, and I hope to be able to attend another program in the future. My advice for anyone interested is to DO IT and attend with a curious mind that is ready to experience and learn."
- Victoria Smith (Germinate 2018
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"Finding like-minded peers who were willing to learn, play and experiment made Ayatana an invaluable experience for me."
- Painter, Amanda Besl (Germinate 2018) |
"Ayatana is where Artists go to Play. Prepare to be inspired."
- Tracie Stewart ( Germinate 2017 ) |
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"Spending time with the Ayatana research group has enriched my life. Sharing focused time with artists who share the same passion for botany in all its forms created some amazing conversations, observations and imagination. This experience has energised me immensly and I have no doubt it will continue to influence my methodology in my work and my life."
- jeweler, Michelle Stewart (Germinate 2018)
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This is art/science sleep away camp, but with really good food, and you don’t get homesick because you are playing in the forest and that alone is pretty awesome. And there’s a bog. And science that will explode your brain. Apply.
- Amanda Besl (Germinate 2018) |
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"My experience as part of Germinate was the best. I left inspired and full of renewed passion for my art practice. Ayatana allows you to explore and play with like-minded people during a week full of thought provoking interactions with local experts. I'm so glad I went!"
-Printmaker, Claire LaFontaine (Germinate 2018
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