Fungi in Art and Exhibition Design
Create and curate artworks and exhibitions with fungi, including living installations, conservation challenges and audience engagement.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungi in Art and Exhibition Design
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Mycelium Design & Architecture. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
This course explores how fungi are used in contemporary art and exhibition design. You will look at artists and curators who work with fungi as subject, medium and collaborator, from photographic and sculptural works to living installations that change over the course of a show. Practical modules cover exhibition design with biomaterials, the conservation and hygiene questions raised by living or grown works, and ways of interpreting fungi for diverse audiences.
Fungi have become a recurring theme in museums, galleries and festivals, reflecting wider cultural interest in ecology and interdependence. Presenting them well requires both creative vision and careful planning, especially when spores, moisture or decay are involved. The course suits artists, curators and exhibition designers who want to work with fungi responsibly and imaginatively. Live sessions include case studies of exhibitions and discussion of installation logistics. In the final project you develop a proposal for a fungal exhibition or installation, including concept, layout, interpretation plan and a hygiene and conservation strategy.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in design & architecture, useful in areas such as museums and galleries, contemporary art, science communication and festivals, exhibition and scenography design.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Create and curate artworks and exhibitions with fungi, including living installations, conservation challenges and audience engagement.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Fungi in contemporary art; Living and growing installations.
- Put them into practice: Exhibition design with biomaterials; Conservation, hygiene and display safety.
- Apply everything to a real case: Interpretation and storytelling; Curating a fungal exhibition.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Analyse how artists use fungi as subject and medium.
- Plan living installations that remain safe and stable during a show.
- Design exhibition elements using grown biomaterials.
- Develop hygiene and conservation protocols for fungal works.
- Write accessible interpretation for exhibitions about fungi.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Artists, curators and exhibition designers.
4.2Entry requirements
No scientific background is required. Experience in art, curating or exhibition work is helpful but not essential.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Artist working with fungi and biomaterials
- Curator of science and ecology exhibitions
- Exhibition designer using sustainable materials
- Museum educator developing fungal programmes
- Festival or gallery producer
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fungi in contemporary art | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Living and growing installations | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Exhibition design with biomaterials | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Conservation, hygiene and display safety | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Interpretation and storytelling | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Curating a fungal exhibition | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Fungi as subject and medium
- Key artists and works
- Themes of decay and interdependence
- Designing works that change over time
- Growing conditions in galleries
- Documenting living installations
- Grown display furniture and plinths
- Mycelium partitions and backdrops
- Reusing exhibition elements
- Spores, moisture and visitor safety
- Conservation of grown works
- Lending and loan agreements
- Writing labels and texts
- Multisensory interpretation
- Engaging different audiences
- Developing a curatorial concept
- Layout and visitor journey
- Budget and timeline planning
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A proposal for a fungal exhibition or installation with concept, layout, interpretation plan and hygiene strategy.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, module exercises such as interpretation texts and layout sketches, and a final proposal reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Design & Architecture school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Fungi in Art and Exhibition Design?
No scientific background is required. Experience in art, curating or exhibition work is helpful but not essential.
How is Fungi in Art and Exhibition Design taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, module exercises such as interpretation texts and layout sketches, and a final proposal reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A proposal for a fungal exhibition or installation with concept, layout, interpretation plan and hygiene strategy.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Fungi in Art and Exhibition Design?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycelium Product Design.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).