Instituto de Verão “Creative School Catalyst” 2026

The Creative School Catalyst Summer Institute 2026, facilitated by artists and MDI PhD candidates Paola Poletto and Deanna Armenti, runs from Tuesday 11 August to Thursday 13 August 2026 (10 am‑4 pm) at The Catalyst, 80 Gould Street, Toronto Metropolitan University. Titled DEN/dwelling, the three‑day workshop invites graduate students, undergraduates considering a master’s degree, and visual‑arts professionals to engage in research‑creation focused on foraging, found objects and assemblage. Participants will read and discuss texts such as Robin Wall Kimmerer’s The Honorable Harvest, undertake a field outing to Tommy Thompson Park, and collaboratively produce an installation that reflects ecological and gender‑expansive perspectives. The program offers mentorship from the facilitators, access to TMU’s Design and Technology Lab, field trips, a curated reading list, and the opportunity to exhibit the final installation during a public reception on Thursday 13 August (3‑6 pm). No application fee is required and all applicants are notified within one week. The call remains open on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.

Mentorship, collaborative research‑creation, field trips, reading list, studio access, exhibition of final installation, public reception.

Open to graduate students, undergraduates considering a master's, and visual‑arts professionals interested in critical, collaborative making.