Programs Overview

The Banff Centre offers nearly 100 programs in the performing, visual, media, and literary arts. Over 4,000 artists at all stages in their career, from across Canada and around the world, attend our professional and creative development programs each year.

Artists come to the Centre for a variety of reasons — some are making the transition from school to a professional career or are on leave from orchestras, dance companies, universities, or other professional organizations; some come to develop new work for performances, auditions, exhibitions, or publication; and others come to experiment with a new technology or explore a new medium or collaboration. Whatever their reason, our programs, staff, and facilities provide the time, space, and support for creative, professional, and artistic growth.

All of our programs have a dynamic and innovative approach, with a flexible learning and creative development environment unlike typical academic structures, in a setting ideal for inspiring creativity. Our aim is to offer programs that prepare multi-dimensional artists for the international stage and to support artists to develop interesting work to be seen by the world.

Types of Programs

There are three types of programs offered in most programming areas of the Centre — Residencies, Workshops, and the Work Study program. Professional training programs are also offered in our performing arts areas. All programs offer the opportunity for a period of exceptional productivity and creativity, to showcase work created and skills acquired here, and for mentorship and to connect with the community of The Banff Centre.

Residencies

Residency programs are offered in every artistic area, and include both structured residencies of a fixed length and self-directed residencies of variable length. In the residency programs, artists are provided with a work space suitable to their needs and practice, access to facilities, and the opportunity to interact with a faculty of visiting artists associated with the residency.

Residencies provide an environment of support, camaraderie, and professional development for artists to create new work, explore ideas, collaborate in a community of working artists, or concentrate on focused work in a retreat setting. Residencies can take many forms, for instance artists may be exploring their medium in collaboration with other residency participants and faculty, or they may be working independently or working within an existing group to focus on the development of a specific project.

Independent residencies in our Leighton Artists’ Colony are available for artists well-established in their careers.

Residency program applications are adjudicated on the basis of artistic merit and fit with the program offerings and requirements of technical resources, with the goal of creating a dynamic and cohesive group of participating artists that represent a wide variety of experiences and backgrounds. Applications from artists at all stages in their career are encouraged.

In the performing arts disciplines, professional training programs are also offered for emerging artists to work with leading coaches, performers, and professionals in the field, while preparing for performances, either as part of the Banff Summer Arts Festival or other presentation series.

Workshops

Workshops are short, intensive programs that delve into a specific topic, skill, or discipline. Usually ranging from a few days to a week long, workshops are the most accessible of our programs, offering the full experience of The Banff Centre, including access to facilities, and the ability to work with leading faculty artists in the field.

Many workshops have an open registration process to attend, making them a great way for emerging artists to access the Centre. Workshops are also beneficial to established artists wishing to participate in a professional development program in a particular skill or area.

Workshops generally have a structured program, which could include group sessions, master classes, one-on-one mentoring, critiques, guest speakers, and other activities.

Instead of providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships to artists, The Banff Centre subsidizes the workshop program fee for all participants to make the cost affordable.

Work Study Program

Our Work Study program offers an internship-style training opportunity that is ideal for emerging artists, technical practitioners, and arts administrators. In the Work Study program, participants work with a Banff Centre staff or faculty mentor well-experienced in the field to develop knowledge and skills for a specific career in the arts.

Many Work Study participants are recent graduates of post-secondary programs, or are in the early stages of their careers; however, the program is also beneficial for those wanting to learn new skills or those seeking a career change.

The Work Study program is usually several months to a year-long and offers participants a full scholarship to cover the program fee, a stipend, subsidized meals on campus, and the possibility for subsidized shared housing.

See our listing of current Work Study program opportunities.