2008 – 75^th Anniversary Year

In 2008 The Banff Centre celebrated 75 years of inspiring creativity.
75th anniversary initiatives included reinvigorated programming in dance, drama, music composition, and visual arts, and innovative new puppetry and choral workshops. The Centre commissioned a 75th anniversary public art work with the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, a 75th anniversary National Play Competition, a new violin for The Banff Centre instrument bank by one of the world’s most respected luthiers, Samuel Zygmontovich, and launched a 75th retrospective exhibition and book. The 75th anniversary Banff Summer Arts Festival featured the world premiere of Tono, a sneak preview of the extended-length version of Alberta Ballet/Joni Mitchell’s The Fiddle and The Drum, and the re-launch of the Centre’s drama program partnership with Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre, featuring Pride and Prejudice.

Throughout 2008, works supported by the Centre illuminated performance stages across Canada in including the Gryphon Trio’s Constantinople, Alan Nashman’s The Snow Queen, Toronto Dance Theatre’s Timecode Break, David Lavelle’s film White Water, Black Gold, Wen Wei Dance’s Three Six Five, BJM DANSE’S Jack in the Box, and many others.