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Program Information
EXILE choreographed by Meghann Michalsky of Project InTandem. Banff Centre 2025. Photo by Rita Taylor.
Overview
This residency supports groups of choreographers and dance artists in developing new or existing work in Banff Centre’s professional studios and performance spaces. We welcome groups of 6 - 14 people to collaborate closely with in-house production teams -including lighting, sound, costumes - throughout the creation process.
Up to 3 Faculty in dramaturgy, design, or production management may also be invited as mentors, ensuring guidance is tailored to each project’s unique needs.
Description
The program offers a supportive environment for artistic risk-taking, cross-disciplinary experimentation, and deeper integration between concept and production design. By the end of the residency, participants will:
- Strengthen their choreographic voice through collaborative production integration.
- Develop practical skills for working with lighting, sound, and stagecraft in a dance context.
- Gain insight into dramaturgical tools for refining movement ideas and narrative structure.
- Learn best practices for communicating with and leading creative and technical teams.
- Test and iterate production elements in a supportive environment, preparing work for touring or premiere.
- Share their work in a public showing at either the Margaret Greenham or Jenny Belzberg Theatre
Requirements
This program is open to:
- Early-career dance artists, choreographers, or collectives of 6 - 14 people.
- Artists seeking to integrate production elements into their process earlier in development
- Those interested in cross-disciplinary collaboration with dramaturgy, design, or production management professionals
All participants in a group application must be present for the full program length.
Eligibility
All 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. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.
Faculty
Lisa Davies
With over 30 years of experience in the dance industry, Lisa Davies has been a guest teacher for numerous national and international companies, and has held many other roles within the dance ecosystem, notably as a rehearsal director, ballet mistress, and guest teacher for renowned international institutions such as RUBBERBANDance Group, The Akram Khan Company, Wayne McGregor Random Dance Company, BJM danse, Czech National Ballet, Ballet Charlotte, Ballet Zurich, Ballet BC, Stuttgart Ballet.
Faculty
Medhi Walerski
Former NDT dancer Medhi Walerski (1979, France) has danced with the company for more than a decade. In 2013 he was awarded the most important Dutch dance prize VSCD Zwaan 2013 for his role in School of Thought (León & Lightfoot). With Mammatus (2008) for NDT 2, the Frenchman made his official debut as a choreographer in the regular season’s programme, which was later also presented in Germany and Scotland. Furthermore he created Underneath(2008), Blink of an Eye (2011) and Chamber (2012) for NDT 1, the latter also being performed in Los Angeles in 2013. Furthermore Walerski has created the work AUREUM (2015) for NDT 2 and GARDEN (2016) and SOON (2017) for NDT 1.
After his education in classical ballet, modern dance and improvisation, Walerski joined the Paris Opéra Ballet and Ballet du Rhin in Mulhouse, France, as a professional dancer. In 2001 he continued his dance career with NDT 2 and moved up to NDT 1 in 2003.
As of 2009, Walerski works as a freelance choreographer for Bern ballet, Göteborg Ballet and Ballet BC. His choreographies Words failed me (Bern Ballet), LaLaLand(Göteborg Ballet together with Alexander Ekman) Petite Cérémonie and Prélude (Ballet BC) have earned him rave reviews.
Faculty
Faculty TBA
Please check back regularly for additions to the faculty list.
Your nominated faculty members in choreography, dramaturgy, design, or production management
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.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty
Campus Facilities
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- Participant Resources: Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided.
- Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre: Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness suite.
- Box Office Discounts: Enjoy special artist rates or complimentary access for ticketed performances.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee
$65 for groups or $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.
Scholarships
We are pleased to offer scholarships to support participants in our program. Below are details regarding the scholarship amount and how they are applied.
Standard scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs
Canadian Indigenous scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, meals, and accommodation costs
To receive the standard scholarship please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
For additional support to help fund your experience at Banff Centre, view a compiled 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.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormStep 2:
Please login with the username and password emailed to you on completion of step 1.
Step 3:
Upload Your MaterialsResume
A two-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
Group applications should submit all resumes in one document.
Cover Letter
A one-page cover letter explaining why you are interested in this program and what you hope to achieve by attending it.
Project Proposal
Provide a two-page description of your proposed project, including the theme, and relevance to the program.
Please be as clear and complete as possible with your technical requests for your proposed project as it will assist the adjudicators in determining the scope of required technical elements for the performance of your work at the end of the residency. Please note: although your project will be supported by Banff Centre technical staff, we will not have capacity to support robust requests for scenic building or building new costumes, but can assist in pulling wardrobe elements from our already existing stock.
Resource request form
Outline all studio, equipment, software, facility, or staff support requested. Final resource allocation is at the discretion of the department. This form can be found in Slideroom.
Portfolio
Please provide a video up to 10 minutes of either the work you want to work on or a past work that shows your choreographic abilities.
Budget Planning
Download and complete the Dance Participant Budget Planning Tool to show that you have considered all costs associated with your residency application. Completed budget files must be uploaded into SlideRoom along with your Project Proposal.
Note: Please download and complete in Excel, and save as PDF prior to uploading. Download Excel file here.
If you are not able to access the file, please email DanceAdmissions@banffcentre.ca for a copy.
Faculty Nominations
Please provide names and contact details of to three proposed faculty members in choreography, dramaturgy, design, or production management.
Please confirm your proposed faculty are available for the residency dates.
Please note: All faculty that attend the residency must be approved by Banff Centre, and contracts and fees will be administered by Banff Centre.
Financial Assistance
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for the financial assistance.
Group Applications
The lead applicant should complete:
- Step 1: One application form
- Step 2: Pay the $65 processing fee on behalf of the group
- Step 3: One SlideRoom application
Note: An additional $35 registration fee will be added for each member upon acceptance to the program.
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.
Contact Admissions
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions:
Toll Free Number (Canada + USA)
1.800.565.9989
Phone
403.762.6180