News

In late 2022, IICSI approached Studio Oleomingus, a partner on their new SSHRC grant “Improvising Futures,” about creating a video game which showcases the last ten years of IICSI’s research findings. Enthusiastic and up for the task, Studio Oleomingus and IICSI set to work to determine the format, content, and technical specifications of the game, meeting monthly with an advisory committee to talk through ideas, troubleshoot potential issues, and narrow in on a delightful player experience. 

After almost a full year of collaboration, what emerges is a freeform digital toy: a collection of playing cards that contain within them a variety of media, including audio tracks, documentaries, short films, photographs, recorded performances, artwork, and more, from different research and creative outputs generated by IICSI and their network over the past decade. We proudly present to you, The Hand You Are Dealt: Improvising the Archive.

IF 2023 will feature world-renowned artists across all disciplines, including jazz legends Vijay Iyer and Wadada Leo Smith; acclaimed bassist/singer Mali Obomsawin performing with her quartet; visionary instrument builder and improvisational polymath Douglas R. Ewart with Juno award-winning percussionist Jesse Stewart; two-time Governor General’s award-winning playwright Judith Thompson with trumpeter jashen edwards; Guelph’s  spoken word artist Truth Is … performing in a world premiere context with drummer Marshall Trammell; Dancetheatre David Earle; pianist Marianne Trudel and percussionist John Hollenbeck; vocal improviser Rhiannon; and much more.

The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) at the University of Guelph is thrilled to announce the fourth annual edition of their 24-hour festival of improvised arts: IF 2023. Taking place October 21–22, 2023, this free festival will feature improvised performances in Guelph’s newest state-of-the-art performance space, ImprovLab, as well as arts events and installations in other venues across the University of Guelph campus and online through an all-night digital livestream. 

IICSI is thrilled to announce our co-presentation of Will Butler, Owen Pallett, and Luna Li at Hillside Festival 2023—Saturday, July 29, at 10:45 a.m. The idea is that the three…

On July 13, 2023, Ajay Heble and Eric Fillion co-authored a piece in The Conversation about the social benefit of summer music festivals and wonder if they can impact actual changes in people’s behaviours, government policies and global institutions.

The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI), a partnered research institute centred at the University of Guelph, presents another series of public concerts and events as part of its bilingual musical improvisation camp in the Gaspésie called Musical Improvisation at Land’s End (MILE) / Coin-du-Banc en folie.

asuperher00pera is an original, improvisation-based opera created in collaboration with Upper Grand District School Board elementary students and presented by the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation.

Our Director, Dr. Ajay Heble, has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Killam Prize for his work as a “globally renowned scholar, visionary arts leader and innovative community builder”.

The International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) invites applications for two (2) twelve-month residential postdoctoral fellowship positions to be held at the University of Guelph. One of the fellowships is co-hosted by the Guelph Institute for Environmental Research (GIER). 

Come research—and practice—arts-based community-making with us in the Fall of 2023! IICSI offers interdisciplinary MA and PhD programs in the field of Critical Studies in Improvisation at the University of…