Literary Arts Self-directed Writing Residency (Winter)

My self-directed writing residency at The Banff Centre provided a creative oasis for me in the midst of one of the busiest times of my professional life… My self-directed residency allowed me to reconnect with my own project and, indeed, with my identity as a writer.

Melanie Little, 2007 Self-Directed Residency

Self-directed writing residencies provide time, space, and facilities for individual research, editing, and manuscript development. All writers with journal or book publications, or presentation in other media are welcome to apply. Applications are evaluated through an adjudicated process.

Each year The Banff Centre attracts over 4,000 artists from around the world in the performing, visual, media, and literary arts and presents over 400 world-class events to an audience of over 80,000 people, set amid the beauty of Canada’s oldest and most renowned national park. Self-directed writing participants have access to outdoor recreation including hiking in the summer, snowshoeing in the winter, and year-round wildlife and nature photography steps from their own personal studio.

Participants can focus solely on writing while daily life chores, such as cooking and housekeeping are taken care of.

There are no formal activities organized around a self-directed writing residency; writers structure their own time, and are free to maintain privacy or to engage with other artists and activities at The Banff Centre.

Writing faculty is not available for consultation or editing for self-directed writing residencies.

Residency length can vary within the prescribed program dates. All residencies must last for a minimum of three days. Participants are housed in single rooms which also serve as their private workspaces.

Note: Applications for residencies outside of the program dates may be accepted at the discretion of the director of Literary Arts based on space availability. On-campus accommodations are available on a first come, first served basis. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide your exact accommodation request or specific room type as on-campus accommodation availability can be limited at times.

Please also see Self-directed Writing Residency Fall.