Mycology is the study of mushrooms.
Mycophilia is the love of them.

10 webinars from Oct 5-16, 2026

Registration is open until Sept 5, 2026

This ten day research residency is an online mycology course for artists to learn about mushrooms and fungi that will offer opportunities to learn from experts in international research labs and to develop ideas with other artists around the world. The program will give insight into the experiences and behaviours of mushrooms from a wide range of perspectives. Built in to the 2 - 2.5 hours of daily programming are discussions, recommended assignments and show and tell.

Science:
Artists will learn about the lives and ecology of wild fungi directly from mycologists and naturalists. The program features daily live video lectures with mycological researchers on a range of mushroom related topics. We will focus on ecological relationships, fungal behaviour and physiology, foraging and studio/lab techniques. Artists will have opportunities to ask questions, make conversation and connect with people working on cutting edge mycology projects across divers ecosystems..

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, dancers and interdisciplinary thinkers 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 mushrooms.

The Biophilium centers women and NB artists and scientists.

Artist Talks – You are invited to introduce yourself and your practice to the group in a 10-15 minute presentation

Mycophilia 101: What is a mushroom, what is mycology?

Myco diversity: Wild mushroom identification using keys, books and apps with the Mycological Society of Toronto

Fabrication with Fungal Materials with Genspace

Symbiosis: Fungi-Plant partnerships: Lichens, Ghost Plants and the Wood Wide Web with Kew Gardens

Wild Yeasts with Stanford University

Symbiosis: Fungal Farming Insects with Cornell University

History of Mycology and Ecofeminism with Kew Gardens

Mushroom Medicine & Poison with the Maine Mycological Association

Urban Lichen with the New York Mycological Society

Cordyceps and other Zombie Fungi with the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Ergotism and Endophytes with Agriculture Canada

Artist Collaborating with live Mushrooms Artist talk and Opportunities and Resources

Cost 
$600 USD

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Residency places are limited to 12 artists.

Click here to see the artists in this year's cohort.
Click here to see all the artists who have studied fungi with us in previous years.

"Thank you for both of the wonderful residencies. I really appreciate your school and what you're doing. There aren't many spaces that open up conversation in such an approachable way between scientists and artists. I really commend you for the way you put these programs together and the very inspiring projects we got to discover through each class. I'm so grateful for all the tips you've given me for opportunities in this very quirky field."  Catherine Euale, Species and Rewild 2025		Thanks so much for a great residency during Mycophilia, I wish it could have gone on for weeks longer! [Alexis'] enthusiasm for the topic was infectious! The speakers were all magnificent and the artists were just the best! Mary Hegedus, Mycophilia 2022
"The Ayatana Residency will immerse you in the world of researchers and the biological sciences in a way that is often inaccessible to artists interested in these topics. A very unique and enriching opportunity." -Eveline Kolijn, Infinitesimal, 2020		“The Ayatana residency allowed me to explore many aspects of scientific practice I would otherwise not be able to access on my own. It pushed me in directions and toward practices I would not have explored independently.” - Shelly Smith (Infinitesimal 2018)

More with the Biophilium this year