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Photo by Rita Taylor
A Leighton Studio Residency offers creative professionals 2 to 6 weeks of focused, self-directed time in private, purpose-built studios set in the forested surroundings of Banff Centre. This competitive program supports independent research, creative exploration, and project development, with the flexibility to work in solitude or engage with Banff Centre’s broader artistic community.
You will benefit from independent management of your time in residence, choosing when to focus, collaborate, explore and create.
Leighton Studios are purpose-built, private workspaces designed to support a range of creative disciplines. Each studio offers a distinct environment, allowing applicants to indicate a preferred space that best supports their practice.
Writers and curators may prefer the Hemingway, Henriquez, or Evamy studios—quiet, contemplative spaces designed for literary or research-based projects.
Musicians, composers, and songwriters may select the Valentine, Davidson, or Cardinal studios, which accommodate solo composition or sound-based work.
Visual Artists, designers, animators, and filmmakers often choose the Thom or Gerin-Lajoie studios, which provide more space for physical creation and experimentation.
Learn more about each studio’s features and find the best fit for your project.
This residency is designed for independent work and does not include production support, technical assistance, or access to specialized facilities. Applicants are responsible for bringing all materials, equipment, and supplies required for their project.
Residencies can be a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks, with proposed dates starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday and arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.
Program Dates are available within the below date ranges:
There will be no availability between December 14, 2026 and January 3, 2027 due to the Institutional Holiday Closure.
Important: Dates are fixed and if accepted, cannot be changed or deferred. Please ensure to select dates that work for your schedule when applying.
This residency is open to creative professionals with a demonstrated record of accomplishment and a clearly defined project. Including but not limited to:
Curatorial Practice: research and writing
Design: architectural, environmental, interactive, visual, functional, and fashion
Music: composition and songwriting
Theatre Arts: dramaturgy, playwriting, and theatrical development
Visual Arts: drawing, painting, digital art, and multimedia
Writing: literature, poetry, non-fiction, journalism, and screenwriting
Interdisciplinary Projects: work integrating multiple creative disciplines
Applicants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. This residency is best suited for those who:
work independently without production support, instrument rentals, or access to specialized production facilities
have a project that fits within the footprint of a Leighton Studio
provide all materials, equipment, and supplies required for their project
If your project requires production support, please consider applying to one of our other artist in residence programs in Literary Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Indigenous Arts or Visual Arts.
Artists who have participated in a Leighton Studio residency in the past three years are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Banff Centre welcomes applications from both domestic and international applicants for our program.
Visa Eligibility Information: Canadian Student Visa Not Eligible: 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.
We welcome artists of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.
Accessibility: The Leighton Studios are located in the woods and are accessed via a gravel pathway. Due to their remote location on campus, they are currently not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us if you require wheelchair accessible accommodation.
The meal plan is equivalent to $68 credit per day.
Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay at any of our food outlets. Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests.
Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Create in the privacy of one of our Leighton studios.
The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty
$65 for individuals, $35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous.
The application fee is non-refundable. 100% of this fee goes towards the cost of administering the application in SlideRoom.
We are pleased to offer scholarships to support participants in our program. Below are details regarding the scholarship amount and how they are applied.
To receive the standard scholarship, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre by viewing our compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
Information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Please login with the username and password emailed to you on completion of step 1.
A two-page resume describing academic, professional, and other relevant artistic experience.
Provide a two-page description of your proposed project, including the theme, and relevance to the program.
Examples of previous or current work should showcase your overall practice or projects that reflect the type of work you are proposing to develop while at Banff Centre.
Please submit 5-8 relevant examples of your work. These may include:
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for financial assistance.
Applications are reviewed by a panel of internal and external adjudicators. Selections are based on:
Our programs are highly competitive with a limited number of places available. Applicants will be notified of their selection status as soon as the adjudication process is complete. Due to the high volume of applications individual feedback will not be provided.
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions: