Beyond Anthropocene: Banff Research in Culture (BRiC)

Program Overview

Successful societies learn to live sustainably by adapting to their environment and naturally imposed resource constraints. Our society may no longer be able to mitigate global warming and its widespread ecological impacts without significant structural change. Some climate scientists have begun to use the tricky vocabulary of “adaptation” to suggest we can modify our ecological systems, instead of our social ones, to ensure our future existence. Others refer to “transition” — a slow nudging of humanity to a better course. Adaptation and transition are becoming accepted narratives of ways forward, yet revolution may be needed to overturn the many inequalities that shape our society and its impact on the environment.

The Beyond Anthropocene program asks how adaptation, transition, and revolution might prescribe our future realities. Together we will investigate the capacities and limits of our imaginations to conceive of what lies beyond the climate crisis. The residency is for artists, cultural theorists, researchers, scientists, architects, and writers engaged with these topics as they struggle to understand how to respond to 21st Century challenges. Throughout this intensive program, participants will engage in productive dialogue, expand their knowledge and understanding through collaboration, and develop a critical collection of creative research, writings, musings, designs, and solutions for addressing the next epoch of human existence.

What does the program offer?

Participants will engage in group discussions, lectures, seminars, and workshops offered by visiting faculty and guests. 

Through peer interaction, collaboration, and conversation, participants will gain new insights and approaches that can be applied to the development of their work and the program theme. The program will also forge lasting networks among researchers and artists, and become a basis for future engagement.

Who should apply?

We invite compelling and original proposals from mid-career thinkers, researchers, architects, writers, curators, scientists and social scientists, and artists. 

Researchers should be working at a post-doctoral level or beyond. Artists, architects, and writers must have completed formal training in their discipline and demonstrate a commitment to exhibition, publication, and professional practice. 

About Banff Research in Culture (BRiC)

Banff Research in Culture (BRiC) is a research and conversation based residency program designed for scholars and artists engaged in advanced theoretical exploration of topics in culture. 

It offers an opportunity for those with similar interests from different disciplinary and professional backgrounds to exchange opinions, ideas, and create. Participants are encouraged to discuss new research, artistic, editorial, and authorial projects, both individually and in connection with others.