Program Information
Overview
This three-week residency supports Indigenous storytellers in developing existing work through a balance of self-directed studio time, faculty-led workshops, peer sharing circles, and one-on-one feedback sessions designed to deepen the creative process.
The program offers space to focus on learning and expanding one’s storytelling practice. Guest artists—both in person and online—will share their approaches to storytelling across a variety of disciplines, with opportunities for dialogue and exchange.
Description
The residency encourages exploration of cultural knowledge, lived experience, and creative expression in shaping stories. Deepen your understanding of different protocols and practices of storytelling from Indigenous perspectives, whilst further developing an existing work within a supportive, land-based, and peer-informed environment. Program highlights include:
- A private studio
- Facilitated group sessions to support artistic growth
- Faculty-led workshops, presentations, and one-on-one feedback sessions
- Guest artists, both in person and online, will share storytelling practices across disciplines
- Peer sharing circles and collaborative readings foster community, connection, and cross-inspiration
- Optional evening gatherings such as fire nights and an open mic night offer space for informal storytelling and reflection
- Participants are invited to present works in progress during a public event that includes Banff Centre staff, faculty, Elders, and guest artists
Requirements
This residency is open to Individual Indigenous storytellers and artists who are actively engaged in their practice and wish to deepen their understanding of diverse storytelling protocols, genres, and cultural perspectives. Applicants should:
- Identify as artists and storytellers
- Have demonstrable experience and knowledge in their artistic practice
- Be committed to developing an existing work during the residency
- Be open to learning, sharing, and engaging with faculty and peers
Post-secondary education in arts or culture is considered an asset but is not required. Applicants should be able to clearly demonstrate an active artistic practice.
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.
Itinerary
Week One
- On-campus orientation and welcome by faculty, Banff Centre staff, and an Elder/Knowledge Keeper
- Faculty and participant presentations to introduce practices and projects
- Opportunity to sign up for one-on-one online sessions with faculty
Week Two
- Daily morning gatherings led by faculty for grounding and addressing questions
- Guest artist presentations and dialogue sessions
- On-the-land engagement hosted by a local Knowledge Keeper or Elder
Week Three
- Welcome and orientation to new faculty; check-in with program leadership
- One-on-one review sessions with faculty
- Peer collaborations through shared readings and discussion
Final Public Presentation – May 29, 2026
- A public event featuring participants and faculty sharing works in progress
Optional Evening Activities
- Organized fire nights for community gathering and storytelling
Faculty
January Rogers
January Rogers is a Mohawk/Tuscarora writer and media producer. She lives on her home territory of Six Nations of the Grand River where she operates Ojistoh Publishing and Productions. January combines her literary talents with her passion for media making to produce audio and video poetry. Her video poem Ego of a Nation won Best Music Video at the American Indian International Film Festival 2020 and her audio work The Battle Within won Best Experimental Audio with imagineNative International Film and Media Festival 2021. She is a literary mentor with Audible, the Indigenous Writers Circle Program since 2022. January wrote a 10-episode comedy series NDNs on the Airwaves (found on the Ojistoh youtube channel) and her play Blood Sport, a comedy about the pretendian crisis in Indian Country has received numerous stage readings and was published by Turtle’s Back Publishing in 2023.
Faculty
Jesse Wente
Jesse Wente is a husband and father, as well as an award-winning writer and speaker. Born and raised in Toronto, his family comes from Chicago and Genaabaajing Anishinaabek and he is an off-reserve member of the Serpent River First Nation. Jesse is best known for more than two decades spent as a columnist for CBC Radio’s Metro Morning. Jesse spent a decade with the Toronto International Film Festival as a curator, including leading the film and gallery programming at the Tiff Lightbox. Jesse was the founding director of the Indigenous Screen Office and is the first Indigenous person to serve as Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. His award-winning first book “Unreconciled: Family, Truth and Indigenous Resistance” was a national bestseller. Earlier this year, Jesse was named the Storyteller in Residence at Toronto Metropolitan University. His first children’s book, Danger Eagle, has just been released by Tundra Books.
Photo is by John Paille.
Guest Faculty, May 20 - 30, 2025
Guest Faculty
Guest faculty for this program will be announced soon.
Guest Artist TBC
What's Included
Meal Plan
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The meal plan is $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.
Accommodation
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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.
Studio Space
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Create in the privacy of one of our specialized studios.
Showcase Your Work
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This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Group seminars and workshops with faculty.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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Campus Facilities
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Fees & Financial Assistance
Total Fee Before Scholarships for tuition, accommodation and a meal plan
$5 601.75
Total You Pay After Scholarship
$0.00
Application Fee
$35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous.
This non-refundable fee covers the full cost of processing your application, including the SlideRoom fee.
Scholarships
We are pleased to offer a range of scholarships to support participants in our programs. Details are outlined below:
Banff Centre Arts Scholarship: All Indigenous arts participants receive a Scholarship covering 100% of the Total fee, meal plan and accommodation costs, made possible through endowments and donations.
To be considered for Banff Centre scholarships, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
Explore additional ways to fund your experience by reviewing our curated list of national and international opportunities here.
Cancellations
Information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Tax Information
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.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Holiday Closure
The student application and payment system is now closed for the institutional rest period.
It will reopen at noon on Monday 5th January.
The Admissions Office closes Thursday 18th December and reopens Monday 5th January.
Step 1:
Application Temporarily UnavailableStep 2:
Application Temporarily Unavailable
Resume
A two-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
Project Proposal
Provide a one-page description of your proposed project, including the theme, and relevance to the program.
Artistic Statement
Provide either a written statement of up to 500 words or a video of up to three minutes that describes why you wish to attend this program, what you hope to learn or achieve, and the potential impact on your artistic practice. Your statement should also reflect your career and practice, artistic intentions, values, motivations, and how you work.
Portfolio
Please provide samples of your work or work-in-progress.
Financial Assistance
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for financial assistance.
Adjudication
Participants are chosen by an adjudication panel comprising of internal and external assessors. The selection criteria include:
- Quality, originality and artistic merit.
- Required skills and experience.
- The potential for the applicant's work to benefit from the program.
- Banff Centre’s ability to support the project.
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.
Disclaimer
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.
