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Beyond Anthropocene: Banff Research in Culture (BRiC)
Program Information

Image Credit: Nomeda and Gediminas Urbonas, Folke Stone Power Plant, commissioned by the Creative Foundation for Folkestone Triennial 2017. Image by Thierry Bal.
The ‘stone’ contains organic batteries storing electricity capable of powering the adjacent lamp-post, representing an important and cutting-edge strand of research into sustainable energy.
Program Overview
Successful societies learn to live sustainably by adapting to their environment and naturally imposed resource constraints. Our society may no longer be able to mitigate global warming and its widespread ecological impacts without significant structural change. Some climate scientists have begun to use the tricky vocabulary of “adaptation” to suggest we can modify our ecological systems, instead of our social ones, to ensure our future existence. Others refer to “transition” — a slow nudging of humanity to a better course. Adaptation and transition are becoming accepted narratives of ways forward, yet revolution may be needed to overturn the many inequalities that shape our society and its impact on the environment.
The Beyond Anthropocene program asks how adaptation, transition, and revolution might prescribe our future realities. Together we will investigate the capacities and limits of our imaginations to conceive of what lies beyond the climate crisis. The residency is for artists, cultural theorists, researchers, scientists, architects, and writers engaged with these topics as they struggle to understand how to respond to 21st Century challenges. Throughout this intensive program, participants will engage in productive dialogue, expand their knowledge and understanding through collaboration, and develop a critical collection of creative research, writings, musings, designs, and solutions for addressing the next epoch of human existence.
What does the program offer?
Participants will engage in group discussions, lectures, seminars, and workshops offered by visiting faculty and guests.
Through peer interaction, collaboration, and conversation, participants will gain new insights and approaches that can be applied to the development of their work and the program theme. The program will also forge lasting networks among researchers and artists, and become a basis for future engagement.
Who should apply?
We invite compelling and original proposals from mid-career thinkers, researchers, architects, writers, curators, scientists and social scientists, and artists.
Researchers should be working at a post-doctoral level or beyond. Artists, architects, and writers must have completed formal training in their discipline and demonstrate a commitment to exhibition, publication, and professional practice.
About Banff Research in Culture (BRiC)
Banff Research in Culture (BRiC) is a research and conversation based residency program designed for scholars and artists engaged in advanced theoretical exploration of topics in culture.
It offers an opportunity for those with similar interests from different disciplinary and professional backgrounds to exchange opinions, ideas, and create. Participants are encouraged to discuss new research, artistic, editorial, and authorial projects, both individually and in connection with others.
Faculty
What's Included
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.
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.
The Light Flex meal plan includes $21 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast and lunch in Vistas Dining Room.
A series of outstanding guest artists and curators will give free public talks and hold informal discussions. Lecture Series talks are available on iTunes U.
Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym, and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Access a wide range of publications, books, music, and films in the Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives, open six days a week.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 for individuals or groups. Individual group members must pay an additional registration fee of $35 on acceptance.
*Financial Aid up to 100% is available to cover tuition (meal plans and accommodations are not eligible).
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials. Help fund your experience at Banff Centre. View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
How to Apply
Collectives: a group leader must complete a single application and upload supporting materials on behalf of the whole group. Visual support materials should be provided for the collective; individual resumes and bios should be provided for each member. Groups no larger than two people will be considered for this program.
Project Proposal
A brief (one-page) description of the creative research you intend to contribute to the program and its relationship to the theme. Accepted applicants should be prepared to come with a draft text (approximately 2,000 words), to discuss and collaborate on while in residence. Participants will also have the opportunity to present work to their peers.
Adjudication
Participants are selected by impartial adjudicators on the basis of their submitted material. In addition to artistic merit, consideration will be given to the likelihood that the artist's work will benefit from the program.
Applicants will be notified of their status as soon as adjudication is complete, approximately eight to 10 weeks following the application deadline.
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.
Contact the Registrar
For questions on preparing your application, please contact the Office of the Registrar: