Summer Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation

Intended for graduate students who have an interest in improvisation and its potential for dynamic forms of community building, the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation is offering a two-week intensive course to explore the theme of Improvisation as Practice-Based Research. The course will examine some of the ways in which improvisatory arts practices can be integrated with scholarly research agendas. How can academic research questions, methodologies, and outcomes benefit improvisatory creative practices and vice versa? In addition, the course will critically examine the changing institutional frameworks that support practice-based research in general and improvisation studies in particular. Hosted by the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation and Memorial University’s School of Music, the course will be held in St. John’s Newfoundland in parallel with the Sound Symposium Festival. Students will be asked to prepare readings, attend lectures, workshops, and festival events. For participants taking the course for credit, the major evaluation component is a paper and/or project due at the end of July. The Summer Institute provides excellent networking opportunities with top scholars and artists in the field of Improvisation Studies as well as bursaries to offset the cost of travel and accommodations. The Institute seeks to contribute to interdisciplinary research and graduate training in the emerging field of improvisation studies. Graduate students working in research areas such as music, cultural studies, political science, sociology and anthropology, English studies, theatre and performance studies, French studies, law, health sciences, philosophy, creative technologies, and communications are invited to submit an application form, curriculum vitae, transcript, and one letter of reference before April 15th to: