On-Campus Programs between January and March 2021 will be either canceled or shifted online. Participants who applied to in-person programs will be contacted directly. Programming that had been planned for online delivery will continue as anticipated.
To hear about upcoming online programs, subscribe to our mailing list. We are pleased to roll out our new student system and application experience. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact admissions@banffcentre.ca.
Program dates have passed. Please join our contact list for updates.
Critical Art Writing Ensemble III
Program Information

Melany Nugent-Noble's artist studio during the Evolving Book residency.
Overview
The third Banff International Curatorial Institute (BICI) Critical Art Writing Ensemble residency warmly welcomes both writers looking at art and artists with a writing practice to explore writing as both a literary reflection on visual art and as an integral aspect of artistic practices.
Exhibition catalogues can expand into short novels and stories, and reviews into haikus and soliloquies, transcending the ephemerality of quotidian journalism.
Participants will contemplate and compose writing with narrative and poetic potential, emotional/political/spiritual/intellectual engagement, creative approaches to form, and highly distinctive points of view backboned by serious analysis and criticality.
Writing that has the potential of visual art in an expanded field.
What does the program offer?
This program provides space and a committed community to work within. Participants are encouraged to exchange writing and ideas among each other, and meet with faculty to discuss individual projects. The residency also includes reading groups, workshops, faculty talks and readings, and opportunities to share and develop work.
Who should apply?
This program is open to writers, curators, and artists exploring pertinent topics within visual arts and writing.
About the Banff International Curatorial Institute (BICI)
The Banff International Curatorial Institute (BICI) encompasses a range of public activities including symposia, think-tanks, exhibitions, and publications. BICI also provides research based programs in the form of residencies and workshops, and practicum opportunities. BICI’s programs and activities serve the communities of curators, artists, researchers, writers, critics, philosophers, and other cultural producers at various stages of their careers. These programs offer ongoing professional development and complement degree granting curatorial programs by providing a venue to meet, explore, and continue research. BICI's residency programs provide time and space for curators, critics, writers or artists to research innovative ideas. Participants have the opportunity to develop new projects within a supportive and nurturing creative environment, and foster collaborations resulting from direct interaction with faculty, peers, professional artists, and other disciplines.
Faculty
What's Included
When applying, choose between staying in a single or a shared 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.
Participants in this program will have a shared office space in which to create their work.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 for each individual or group application. Group members must pay an additional registration fee of $35 on acceptance.
*Financial Aid up to approximately 100% of the program tuition is available (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
Collaborative Groups: a group leader must complete a single application and upload supporting materials on behalf of the whole group. Portfolio materials should be provided for the collective, individual resumes and bios should be provided for each member.
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
Note:
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.
Contact the Registrar
For questions on preparing your application, please contact the Office of the Registrar: