Early Career Banff Artist in Residence 2026

Overview  

Early Career Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) 2026 is an immersive program of studio practice, creative exploration, critical feedback, and mentorship for visual artists in the early stages of their careers. 

Open to artists working in all visual arts mediums, this program is faculty-led while providing space, time, and support towards the development of an agreed-upon studio project. 

As well as having the opportunity to research, experiment, and create, participants are part of a community of emerging artists committed to developing and expanding their practice. They will participate in faculty-led conversations around the contexts that artists establish for the production and presentation of their work.

This program is designed for participation over the entire program period. Variable dates will not be considered.

Description

The program invites participants to reflect on how their work is situated within or alongside their artistic peers and predecessors. It emphasizes collective learning, cross-disciplinary exchange, and relational approaches to practice. Participants will explore how artists establish associations with one another across diverse modes of making and thinking.

This program supports:

• the development of conceptual thought and creative skills through faculty supported research-creation
• development of technical skills through experimentation and skill-based learning assisted by staff technicians
• faculty and guest artist lectures and collective study, reading, and writing to foster critical thought and cross-disciplinary dialogue/collaboration
• peer-to-peer to engagement fostering a professional community that can help support and sustain an artistic career
• feedback from experienced faculty members who will be available for both group and one-on-one consultations.

Artists are provided with a studio, as well as targeted access to our extensive facilities. This includes:

• access to personal studio spaces equipped for creative work, available 24/7, providing a dedicated environment for artistic expression
• targeted access to shared production facilities and knowledgeable staff who are available to provide technical assistance and support.

Facility access is based on availability of facilitators and priority goes to those requesting access in their initial applications. 

Requirements

Early Career refers to artists who are new to their professional practice as well as those just entering, or in the early stages of their career. 

This residency is for individual artists or duos (of no more than two collaborators) who have:

• completed formal training in visual arts at the post-secondary level; or
• equivalent experience and recognition from their peers acquired through traditional knowledge and practices.

Applications from applicants close to completing formal training, averaging up to five years of professional practice will be considered.

The program is designed to cater to early career visual artists including, but not limited to, work in:

• ceramics
• digital media
• painting
• drawing
• printmaking
• papermaking
• photography
• sculpture and installation

Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The program suits those focused on:

• working on a specific project
• creating new works.

Priority will be given to artists who have not attended a Visual Arts residency at Banff Centre in the past three years.

Eligibility

Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date. 

Domestic and international applications are welcome.

Visa Eligibility Information:

• Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.
• If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.

Inclusivity Statement

We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.