2026 online and in-person programs with the Biophilium

In addition to lectures by research scientists, each online program includes a thematic talk on live organisms in contemporary art and a lecture on opportunities and resources for research-artists relevant to your research topic.

MYCOPHILIA

Fungal Appreciation:
A 10-day mycology webinar for artists to learn about mushrooms and fungi

With lectures by research mycologists on:
Wild mushroom identification, working with myco materials in the studio, lichens, Ghost Plants and the wood wide web, fungal farming insects, mushroom medicine & poison, zombie fungi, farming dung loving fungi, Ergotism and endophytes and fungal DNA barcoding.

10 webinars from Oct 5-16, 2026

MORTEM

For artists to learn about death and mourning ritual

With lectures on:
Green Burial, Death doulas and home funerals, Historical body disposition practices, grave goods, bog bodies, relic veneration, the personification of death in art history, mourning ritual in contemporary art and Victorian cemetery symbolism.

10 webinars in November, 2026

Applications due september 20, 2026

2027 online and in-person programs with the Biophilium

In addition to lectures by research scientists, each program includes a thematic talk on live organisms in contemporary art and a lecture on opportunities and resources for research-artists relevant to your research topic.

MYCOPHILIA FORAY

Mushroom hunting, collection, and observation
A 6-day fungal foray and retreat in Ontario in September

September 14 - 18

Applications due March 15, 2027

SWEET NOTHING

A biology course on sex for artists.

With lectures by guest research biologists on: Love songs, mating daces, courtship rituals, pollination and seed spreading, slug sex, sexual selection, social structures, gender rolls, mating styles and sexual identity in the wild.

10 webinars in June, 2027
Applications due Feb 1, 2027

SWARM

Insect biology for artists

With lectures by guest research entemologists on:

Ant colonies, bee navigation, polination, fireflies, field identification and taxonomy, long distance insect migration, life cycles and metamorphosis, Dragonflies, communication, and artists collaborating with live insects.

10 webinars in July, 2027
Applications due Feb 15, 2027

EAVESDROP

Other-than-human communication

With lectures by guest research biologists on:

Whales, bats, spider vision, bird song, bacteria

10 webinars in April, 2027
Applications due Jan 15, 2027

We are flexible and forgiving with application formats and deadlines.

BRAIN CLUB

First Thursday of every month

Free meeting about mental health and neurodivergence for artists.

Sing up for info and meeting links.