Residents visit the chickens of Forest and Farm

Montreal artist Marjorie Lemay films a pair of eagles
through binoculars with a super 8 camera







 

Bird Nerds

Bird School for Artists
10 webinars in May, 2026

Applications due February 15, 2026

With lectures by research ornithologists on:
The history of Pigeons, bird vision and feather color, navigation and migration, Corvid intelligence, birdsong and communication, wild bird identification, Cowbirds & brood parasites and Sparrow mating styles.

Science:
Artists will learn about the lives and ecology of wild birds directly from ornithologists and conservationists. The program features daily live video lectures with international ornithological researchers on a range of bird related topics. Artists will have opportunities to ask questions, make conversation and connect with people working on cutting edge ornithology projects around the world. We will focus on bird intelligence, communication, migration and ecology among other topics.

Artists:
Biophilium residencies are designed to facilitate research that will enrich visual and conceptual artists' practice within a small group of like minded creative people. Artists, writers, musicians, film makers and dancers are encouraged to apply. The jury will select eight international artists based on their portfolio rather than how they fit into any description of an artist. We will enjoy many short one-on-one meetings with artists who make art related to birds and their experiences. Built in to the 2 - 2.5 hours of daily programming are discussions, recommended assignments and show and tell.

Outline
Activities will be tailored to participants' research interests.

Artist's Talk: We invite you to give an artist talk to share your work with the group.

The Evolution of Brood Parasitism with the University of Illinois

The Historical Symbiosis of Humans and Pigeons with Washington University

Nocturnal Birds of Prey with the Cedarview Wildlife Refuge

Avian Pheromones with Oregon University

Crow Friends and Funerals: Corvid behaviour with Cambridge University

Identifying Birds by Ear: Chirps, Tweets and Trills- a crash course in earbirding with the Ottawa Bird Count.

Nurturing Vulture Populations from the Bottom Up with Rewildling Europe inRhodope Mountains, Bulgaria

How Birds Manifest and See Color, with the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology

Rebuilding Seabird Populations in Mexican Islands with Dr. Yuliana Bedolla

The Effects of Discarded Plastic on Bird Populations in Pategonia

How White Throated Sparrows Changed their Tune with the Audubon Society

Backyard Birding During Migration with a conservationist from Birds Studies Canada.

How to use birding apps: eBird for counting birds and Merlin for identifying them with an expert birder from the Ottawa Field Naturalist Club.

Artist's Talk: Cormorants and Urban Ecologies with Cole Swanson.

Contemporary artists working with wild birds & resources and opportunities.

Cost 
$600 USD

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 birds with us.
'This is an exceptionally well run and unique program. The schedule of activities enabled us to learn a huge amount.  The residency is very comfortable and thoughtfully crafted to create an open space which allows ideas and laughter and friendships to flourish." - Painter, Adele Pound (Parliament of Owls 2017 )		"A Parliament of Owls far exceeded my expectations. The sessions were well organized and deep as well as fun. Working in a small group was terrific. I learned something in every session (many things, actually), and was constantly stimulated by the others in the group." -Fibers artist, Kate Goreman (Parliament of Owls 2018)
"I think the best thing for me about my time at Ayatana was the group of talented artists that I learned so much from. Learning and sharing with like minded individuals was invaluable." -Experimantal photographer, Kate Houlne (Parliament of Owls 2018)		"It is definitely worth investing in an online Biophilium residency. It's a very enjoyable and interesting experience and you get to meet other lovely artists." -Adele Pound Parliament of Owls on line 2020 & Parliament of Owls IRL 2017
"The last two weeks I did something that changed me. I went in as one Liz G. and came out the other end a different one. I still have lots of percolating to do in my brain, but I started feeling it the last couple days of the residency and I'm exhilarated as it ended. I can see changes in the small ways my interactions with other artists are so fortifying. I can see it in the new things I want to make. I can see it in the leap I'm making as my truest self, and a feeling of real acceptance into the world of makers, more of a peer than before. Becoming, belonging. There is not a better way to live." Liz Guertin, Parliament of Owls 2021

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