News

Event poster for the session IICSI's co-presentation at Hillside Festival 2023, taking place July 29, at 10:45 a.m. Headshots of the artists Will Butler, Owen Pallett, and Luna Lee are spotlighted left to right. The poster features images and texts advertizing the event sponsors.

IICSI Co-Presents Will Butler, Owen Pallett, and Luna Li at Hillside Festival 2023

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…

A group of people on a street corner following a procession of musicians on a summer day.

Summer Music Festivals Do More Than Entertain …

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.

Colourful poster featuring an illustration of a sun, rock, and the ocean. Large font reads, "Musical Improvisation at Land's End presents: two concerts, July 16th and 21st in Gaspé."

Free Public Concerts at the Corner of the Beach Cultural Museum in Gaspésie

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.

colourful image with white outlined drawings of figures, objects, and cartoon designs. White text reads, super her0 0pera.

University of Guelph Students Put the O in Opera

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.

Ajay Heble

Dr. Ajay Heble wins the 2023 Killam Prize

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”.

A black graphic with green, blue, and orange writing on an abstract black background. 2023 postdoctoral fellowships. call for applications. deadline May 1, 2023.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 2023 – 2024

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). 

Apply Now: MA / PhD in Critical Studies in Improvisation

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…

Big Ideas in Art + Culture + Improvisation: meLê yamomo

World-Renowned Theatre & Sound Artist meLê yamomo to Present Lecture at University of Guelph Visiting scholar from University of Amsterdam will present a public lecture/performance on decolonizing sound on Dec.…

Thinking Spaces: Fall 2022

ANNOUNCING THE FALL 2022 LINE-UP FOR THINKING SPACES—a speaker series centred in improvisation presented by the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) featuring four speakers from the forefront…

IF 2022 Festival

We are thrilled to announce the third annual edition of their 24-hour improvised arts festival: IF 2022. Running online from August 26­-27 (ET), this free, multi-disciplinary Festival will feature improvised…