If you are looking for more information about your time on Campus please visit Participant Resources.
Start by visiting the specific program page on the Banff Centre website. Each program page includes information about eligibility, dates, fees, application requirements, and how to apply.
To apply, you will generally need to:
Please review the program page carefully, as application requirements vary by program.
If you need access to the application form in an alternate format or support completing the submission please contact Admissions@banffcentre.ca or call 1.403.762.6180 to discuss.
Yes. If you wish to apply to multiple programs, you must submit a separate application for each program. Applications are reviewed independently by the relevant faculty, adjudicators, or programming areas.
Yes, many of our programs accept international applicants. Please check individual program pages for details of who is eligible to apply.
Eligibility and immigration requirements vary by program, so please review the individual program page carefully.
If you are an international applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that you have the appropriate documentation and authorization to participate in Canada.
Details about how to apply for a Visitor Visa, and current processing times, can be found on the Canadian Government's website. There is also some helpful information of Banff Centre's International Visitors page.
Eligibility varies by program. Please review the Requirements and Eligibility section on the individual program page for specific requirements.
Most programs are open to applicants who are 18 years of age or older at the time the program begins. Some programs may have additional age, training, experience, citizenship, residency, or other eligibility requirements.
Banff Centre is a non-degree granting institution. If you are seeking academic credit for participation in a Banff Centre program, please check with your college or university before applying to confirm whether the program can be recognized for credit. Banff Centre assumes no responsibility for such acceptance for credit.
Students wishing a transfer should refer to the Alberta Transfer Guide, which lists all course and program transfer agreements between post-secondary institutions. Transfer information is available online at www.transferalberta.alberta.ca or by contacting transferalberta@gov.ab.ca.
Go to Student Portal. Then enter your username and password. If you have forgotten your password, click the 'Forgotten Password' link.
If you have any further issues accessing your portal account, please contact the Admissions Office.
Here are some things to try first:
If you are still having problems, please contact the Admissions Office.
Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline date listed on the individual program page.
We recommend submitting your application well before the deadline to allow time to resolve any technical issues.
SlideRoom is an online portal that Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity uses to adjudicate applications.
Depending on the program, you may be asked to upload materials such as images, video, audio, writing samples, scores, project proposals, résumés, or other supporting documents.
SlideRoom accepts a range of image, video, audio, and document formats. File size limits may vary by program.
Please follow the file requirements displayed in your specific SlideRoom application. Some programs may have different or expanded limits.
You will receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting your application.
You can also check your application status through the Student Portal. If your application is marked Application Under Review, this indicates that the required application materials have been received and your application is proceeding to the adjudication or funding review process.
Please allow up to three business days after the deadline for your application status to update.
Firstly, don't panic! Our office hours are 8:30AM - 4:30PM, Mon-Fri. If you have a query outside of these times, please email the Admissions Office and include your name, contact information and the program you are trying to apply for.
Someone will be in contact with you the next day to help you complete your application. If you need to submit supporting material with your application, please continue to collate these documents in SlideRoom, without submitting. When you are contacted by your Admissions representative, they will give you a code to proceed to submission. As long as we have a timestamped email before 11.59PM MST on the day of applications closing, you will not be penalised and your application will still be accepted.
Unfortunately, we cannot consider late applications.
Please make every effort to submit your complete application before the deadline listed on the program page, if you have any issues contact Admissions as soon as possible.
Use the Student Portal link provided by Banff Centre and sign in using your username and password.
If you have forgotten your password, use the Forgotten Password option on the login page.
Try the following:
If you continue to experience problems, contact the Admissions Office.
Banff Centre aims to notify applicants as soon as the adjudication process is complete.
For many programs, decisions are communicated approximately 4–8 weeks after the application deadline. Timelines may vary depending on the number of applications received and the program's start date.
Your final decision will be communicated by email.
If you are accepted, your program-specific Admissions representative will contact you via email.
You will be directed to your Student Portal to review your acceptance documents and complete any forms and payments to secure your spot within 2 weeks of acceptance.
Yes, once accepted onto a program, a confirmation fee is often part of your acceptance process to hold your place. Details regarding this requirement and how to pay are detailed in your Student Portal and acceptance email.
Your final balance is due 45 days prior to the start date of your program.
If you are accepted from a waitlist or receive a late offer, payment may be due immediately. Your Admissions representative will provide details specific to your situation.
Processing or registration fees are payable online through the Student Portal.
We accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover Cards and cheques in Canadian currency. In person, we can accept cash as well as debit card payments.
Banff Centre reserves the right to cancel your acceptance if fees are not fully paid by the due date.
If you are unable to meet a payment deadline, contact your Admissions representative as soon as possible.
Banff Centre cannot issue a deferment on the basis of a grant/loan application. To meet the payment deadline for your program, you may have to arrange alternative financing. However, if you have payments pending from guaranteed loans or grants, with written evidence from the loaning or granting agency, you may request a deferment through the Admissions Office
Please contact your Admissions representative to cancel and discuss any potential cancellation charges or refunds (if applicable).
Participants are not eligible for an adjustment in program fees due to early departure, late arrival, or withdrawal from a program. See Fees, Payments and Cancellations for details.
Participants withdrawing for compassionate reasons must speak directly with their programming area. Any adjustments or refunds will be made at the programming area's discretion.
Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel to and from Banff Centre, including flights and ground transportation, unless specifically stated in their acceptance letter.
Once your participation is confirmed, review your program dates and arrival information before booking your travel. A discount code for the Banff Airporter will be sent to all participants in their enrollment email, once they have completed the required confirmation steps.
Participants have access to a range of on-campus services and facilities, including the Paul D. Fleck Library & Archives, Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre, dining facilities, and arts-specific spaces and resources associated with their program.
Access to specialized facilities and equipment varies by program. Please review your program information or contact Participant Resources if you have specific questions.
Once your participation is confirmed, you will receive additional information about your program, including details about your arrival, schedule, accommodation, and other important preparations.
Some program details, such as schedules, itineraries, faculty sessions, and activities, may continue to be finalized closer to the program start date and are subject to change.
Please review the information provided through your Student Portal and email and watch for updates from the Banff Centre team.
Your program fee includes a single bedroom at one of our on-campus hotels, for the duration of your residency.
If you would like to request additional guests information will be provided in your enrollment email. Please not additional fees may apply. Meal plans are not included.
Meal arrangements vary by program. Details of the meal plans are on each program page.
Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests. In advance of your arrival, please contact Participant Resources if you have special dietary needs. A medical report from your doctor is required prior to arrival for any medical condition that warrants opting out of the Meal Plan.
Please let us know about accessibility, or other requirements as early as possible when accepting your place on the program.
Visit our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access page to understand how we can support participants on campus.
You can also contact our Participant Resources team to discuss your personal circumstances in more detail.
For questions related to your program, contact your program team or Admissions representative.
For accommodation, access, dining, or other non-program needs, contact Participant Resources.
All participants will be issued a Banff Centre Identification Card (ID card) commonly referred to as your Artist or Student Card.
Keep this card with you at all times to pay for meals, access services, performances, lounges, dining rooms, library and other recreation facilities. If you lose your card you will be charged $5 to have the card reissued.
Please contact your Admissions representative if you are a current or recent participant. If you are an alumni or prospective applicant, please email any personal information change requests to admissions@banffcentre.ca
Yes. You can download an application confirmation letter through the Student Portal.
If you require a signed version, contact Admissions.
Contact the Admissions Office to request an official transcript or Letter of Attendance.
Electronic transcripts requested after you leave campus are provided at no cost. A fee may apply if you require a mailed copy.
Log in to your Student Portal and go to Financial Information. Select the relevant enrolment and payment to view and print your receipt.
Please visit the Tax Information for Program Participants page for information about T4A and other tax documents.