Summer Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation

Memorial University of Newfoundland, June 29 to July 12, 2014

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 historic St. John’s Newfoundland in parallel with the Sound Symposium, an international gathering of musicians and sound artists. 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:

The Summer Institute course instructor will be Jesse Stewart (http://www.jessestewart.ca/). Jesse Stewart is an award-winning composer, improviser, percussionist, visual artist, instrument builder, researcher, writer, and educator dedicated to re-imagining the spaces between artistic disciplines. He is an Associate Professor of Music in Carleton University’s School for Studies in Art and Culture in Ottawa Canada.

Participants will also benefit from discussions with and mentorship from the IICSI executive members: Ajay Heble (University of Guelph), Rebecca Caines (University of Regina), Eric Lewis (McGill University), Kevin McNeilly (University of British Columbia), Shawn Van Sluys (Musagetes Foundation), Ellen Waterman (Memorial University), and Frederique Arroyas(University of Guelph).

To view the original call for applications for the 2014 Summer Institute, please click here.

Please click here to view information regarding Summer Institute Fees.

Please click here to download a copy of the Summer Institute application form in pdf or word versions, which must be submitted with all other application materials.

Please click here to view the course syllabus.

Please click here to view the Sound Sympoisum Schedule.