METAMORPH

Shape Shifters of Ecology:
A course on biological transformation for artists

10 webinars in April, 2026
Applications due January 25, 2026

With lectures by guest research biologists on:
Hybridization & speciation, evolution, metamorphosis, life cycles and instars, island ecology, adaptability,  behavior altering parasites, composite organisms, immortal marine life, ecological succession and sequential hemaphroditism.

Scientists:
Metamorph is a ten day webinar for artists to learn about biological and ecological change directly from research scientists. The program offers daily video lectures and chats with 9 international biologists engaged in cutting edge research that explores liminal spaces, oscillating identities and radical changes in individuals, species and ecosystems. Guest scientists will describe a broad range of survival strategies and attempt to define what it means to be one thing and not another. 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 themes of the inbetweens, backs and forths, complicated identities and organisms with chaotic life cycles with many morphologies like slime molds and jellyfish, 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..

The Infinite lifecycles of Immortal Jellyfish with the University of Galveston

Slime Moulds: The composite intelligence of the social amoeba who sometimes live as single celled individuals and sometimes come together to form a composite organism.  Their shapes, colours and behaviour are radically different depending on environmental conditions.

Novel Ecologies and Adapting to Climate Change with the Symbioscene at the Rachel Carsen Center

Zombie Mushrooms and other behavior altering parasites that defy free will and individuality with the Brooklyn Botanical Garden

Instars and Metamorphosis: The life cycle of a mouthless silk moth with the National Museum of Nature

Inconspicuous phases of Ferns with the Plant Initiative

Trophic Cascades and Ecological succession with the University of Colorado

Biological alchemy: Metabolism and Fermentation

Hybridization & Speciation: The tree of life splits and merges with evolutionary ecologists from Ottawa University

Gender Bending Marine Life: Sequential hemaphroditism of the Clown Fish with the University of Illinois

You are invited to present your work to the group in a short artist talk

Biological transformation in contemporary art with the director of the Biophilium

Cost 
$600 USD
We are offering a 50% scholarship for all 2026 programs to artists who apply before Jan 1.

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 biology and ecology with us.

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