Spoken Word

The Banff Centre's Spoken Word Program is the first program of its kind, offering a unique milieu for the spoken word artist to explore and develop both their voice and their career path. The program offers space to write, one-on-one editorial assistance from experienced writers, time to develop stronger performance dynamics, daily classes, and the opportunity to engage in a vibrant network of spoken word artists.

Each participant will design a personal program to reflect their individual needs, and will receive guidance in their individual project from a faculty mentor who they will work with throughout the program. Weekly workshops with a world-class faculty group will cover topics from the historical context of spoken word to the business of being an artist.

This program is associated with the Calgary International Spoken Word Festival, which gives students the distinctive opportunity of showcasing their work at this prestigious festival.

Extend your stay after this program and continue your work at the Centre. Self-directed writing residencies run year-round, and provide you with the time and space for focused work. For more information, see Self-directed residencies.