A Room of Your Own

Ten remarkable studio spaces for professional artists in all disciplines.

The Evamy Studio. Photo by Chris Amat.

Leighton Artist Studios

Delve into your work

The Leighton Artist Studios are a cornerstone program of the Banff Centre, providing independent residencies for artists working on self-directed research-creation projects. This program is home to ten distinct studios located in a secluded and forested area of the Banff Centre campus. What sets these studios apart from other Banff Centre residencies is the unique retreat environment that affords artists time and space for focus and introspection.

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Barbara Spohr, Untitled (Long Island), 1979, Collection of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, P79 0162 P.

Program Dates January 19, 2026 - February 13, 2026

Barbara Spohr Memorial Award for Photography 2026

The Barbara Spohr Memorial Award for Photography provides financial and creative assistance to a mid-career Canadian artist.

Application deadline has passed

Unique artist studios in a forested area on campus

Program Dates April 07, 2025 - March 27, 2026

Leighton Artist Studios 2025/26

The Leighton Artist Studios provide an inspiring retreat environment for artistic research and creation.

Application deadline has passed

Leighton Studios

All About the Leighton Artist Studios

Located in a beautiful, secluded, wooded area on Banff Centre campus, the Leighton Artist Studios inspire and accommodate creative practice.

Leighton Studio at dawn

Leighton Artist Studios Welcome Information

I had never done a residency before, and I wasn’t sure how productive I could be with all that open time, but I surpassed even my own hopes. Working in a Leighton Artist Studio gave me the best of all worlds: my own, uninterrupted space, plus the option of spending time with participants in the writing and music programs, attending readings and concerts, collaborating with others. I felt well-supported (and encouraged) by the Leighton staff and took full advantage of the riches the Paul Fleck Library has to offer — as well as the riches of my natural surroundings. In short, my residency was an enormously inspiring and very productive experience.

Stuart Ross, Leighton Artist Studios, 2025

The Studios

Peter Hemingway Studio

The Hemingway Studio

Named after designer Peter Hemingway, this studio's design is influenced by Haida architecture, with a circular floor plan and a rising conical roof-line.

The Valentine Studio in the Leighton Artist Studios

The Valentine Studio

Named after the designer Fred Valentine, this studio was designed as a composer's studio and contains a grand piano.

Henriquez Studio

The Henriquez Studio

This playful "studio in a boat" was inspired by the desire to create a link with the past by bringing an artifact to Banff with a history of its own.

The Evamy Studio

The Evamy Studio

Named after the designer Michael Evamy, this "glass crystal" studio sits in a small clearing surrounded by a forest of spruce and pine.

The Davidson Studio

The Davidson Studio

Named after designer Ian Davidson, this star-shaped studio provides maximum visual and acoustic privacy and contains a Steinway baby grand piano.

The Thom Studio

The Thom Studio

Named after the studio’s designer, Ron Thom, the configuration for this visual art studio is simple and open to allow the greatest degree of flexibility.

Cardinal Studio

The Cardinal Studio

Named after the studio’s designer, celebrated architect Douglas Cardinal, the design for this studio takes the form of a nautilus shell.

The Gerin-Lajoie Studio

The Gerin-Lajoie Studio

Named after the designer Guy Gerin-Lajoie, this bright studio was originally designed for visual artists and is now used for a wide range of projects.

Painter House Exterior

The Painter House

Named after celebrated architect Walter Painter, this converted character home provides opportunities for established artists or for a group of artists.

Desk in Crich Studio

The Crich Studio

Named after nature photographer Vic Crich, this unique studio sits apart from the rest of the Leighton Artist Studios, in the vibrant and media-rich environment

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Leighton Artist Studios Stories

Creative Pathways, Banff Centre’s Strategic Plan

Creative Pathways: Banff Centre’s Strategic Plan

We invite you to read our Strategic Plan, released in April, 2021.

A Room With A View

Banff Centre’s Leighton Artist Studios provide space for resistance.

The Valentine Studio in the Leighton Artist Studios

Where the Heart Is: The Valentine Studio

Renowned Canadian architects designed artist retreats that are perfect spaces for creation.

Contact Us

For questions about the department and what we offer, please contact:

Email: LeightonAdmissions@banffcentre.ca
Phone: 403.762.6180

Phone (Main Switchboard)
403.762.6100

Address
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
PO Box 1020
Banff, Alberta
Canada
T1L 1H5

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We recognize, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minihrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play here, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.