Independent Studio Residency: Performing Arts & Music 26/27

Overview

This is your time for uninterrupted space to start or advance your project in our dance studios, rehearsal spaces or music studios. Ideal for solo creators or small to medium sized ensembles, it provides the space and freedom to move, make noise, and focus deeply on your work.

Open to performance-based practices - dancers, choreographers, theatre-makers, opera artists, musicians, and interdisciplinary collaborators - these residencies welcome you to explore, experiment, and create new work. With access to dance studios or rehearsal spaces, large instruments that cannot travel - along with with limited production support - you’ll have the freedom to shape your work independently, designing your own creative process without structured programming or mentorship, in the solitude of Banff Centre’s inspiring mountain setting.

Description

Ideal for bold, self-directed artists and collectives whose projects need space, sound, or movement not possible in the Leighton Artist Studios. Perfect for:

• Dance: choreography, research
• Theatre: playwriting, dramaturgy, development
• Opera: composition, research
• Music: composition, research
• Interdisciplinary: hybrid or genre-defying work

Residencies include smaller, private studios and rehearsal spaces equipped for performance-based practices and will be allocated according to need. Studios features may include:

• Dance flooring (Marley/sprung or carpet)
• Small PA system
• Tables, chairs, mirror wall or rolling mirrors
• Height clearance for lifts/choreography
• Pianos and instruments too large for travel
• Self-recording equipment

Professional recording may be available in our recording studio or performance spaces, pending availability. This would incur a separate fee. If interested, please indicate as such in your application, your preferred recording date, and a brief outline of the project scope.

Dates

As part of the application, you’ll be asked to select several preferred date ranges for your residency. Dates and Studios will be assigned according to studio availability, requirements and ability to support the project needs.

Residencies can be 1 or 2 weeks in length, scheduled from a Monday to a Friday. Longer residencies may be considered on a case-by-case basis subject to availability. Arrival is on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after the residency dates. 

There will be no availability between December 14, 2026 and January 3, 2027 due to the institutional closure.

Important: Once confirmed, residency dates are fixed and cannot be changed or deferred. Please ensure to select dates that align with your schedule when applying.  

Requirements

We welcome applications from creative professionals and collectives at all career stages who:

• Have a demonstrated record of accomplishment
• Have a clearly articulated project ready for focused development which fits within the footprint of a Banff Centre performing arts studio or rehearsal space
• Can work independently without mentorship, production or tech support
• Bring their own equipment and materials
• Collaborative groups of up to 6 people can apply

If your project requires production facilities, technical support, or mentorship, please consider applying to one of our faculty led artist in residence programs in Music, Dance or Theatre.

Eligibility

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.

Inclusivity Statement

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.