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Program Information
The Cardinal Studio in the Leighton Artist Studios
Overview
The Leighton Artists Studios are home to nine distinct, architect-designed studios suitable for individual artists working in a variety of disciplines: writing for stage and screen, composing and songwriting, literary arts and translation, visual arts including photography, and critical and curatorial writing.
A tenth studio, the Painter House, is suitable for groups of 2 to 10 artists working collaboratively. Formal and informal collectives, collaborators and ensembles are invited to apply for residencies at the Painter House for the period July 1 - August 2 2024.
What does the program offer?
Independent residencies at the Leighton Artists Studios offer artists time, space and an inspiring retreat environment for the development of their work. Residencies are offered for a minimum period of two weeks up to six weeks. Each unique studio is designed by a distinguished Canadian architect and provides a perfect setting for projects requiring focus and time for contemplation.
Artists working in the Leighton Artists Studios have the opportunity to engage with the community on campus by attending talks, performances, exhibitions, and activities offered by Participant Resources.
Leighton Artists Studios offer professional artists focused time for independent research, experimentation and project development. There is no access to specialized production facilities, technical support, or equipment loans. Please refer to each studio page to see what is included within the footprint of the studio.
Who should apply?
We invite artists whose projects fit within the footprint of a Leighton Studio, and which do not require additional production support, to apply. Artists of all ages (18+), cultural backgrounds, gender identities and expressions are encouraged to apply.
Please note nine of the Leighton Artists Studios are located in the woods and are accessed via a gravel pathway. Due to their remote location on campus they are currently not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us if you require wheelchair accessible accommodations.
We cannot accommodate projects requiring technical or production support at this time. If your project requires production support, please consider applying to one of our other artist in residence programs in Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Indigenous Arts or Visual Arts.
Please note, adjudication will prioritize applicants who have not completed a Leighton residency in the past 3 years.
Residency Dates
Individuals: Residences must be minimum 2 weeks in length and maximum 6 weeks. They must start on a Monday and end on a Friday, with arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.
Collaborative entities: Residences must be minimum 1 week in length and maximum 3 weeks. They must start on a Monday and end on a Friday, with arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.
Applications are being accepted for residences with start dates between 1 April and 30th September, 2024.
Dates are fixed and if accepted, cannot be changed or deferred. Please ensure to select dates that work for your schedule when applying.
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What's Included
Single Room
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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.
Full Flex Meal Plan
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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. Banff Centre can accommodate most dietary requests.
The Full Flex meal plan is calculated at $70 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service.
Studio Space
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Create in the privacy of one of our Leighton studios.
Gym Membership
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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.
Box Office Discounts
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Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Participant Resources
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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.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives - Current Services
The Library is delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty with the following services:
- Open hours: 9:30 am to 1 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Access to collections, including program relevant books, scores, artists’ books, recordings, periodicals, and object library.
- Library accounts for borrowing materials.
- Digital Library, on campus and remote access.
- Library research assistance, by appointment.
- Archives research, by appointment only.
Please email library@banffcentre.ca or archives@banffcentre.ca for more information or assistance.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 for individuals or groups ($35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous).
Application Fees are non-refundable.
Individual group members must pay an additional registration fee of $35 on acceptance.
* Program fees are per person, and are pro-rated by program length.
**Scholarship of 100% is available and will be applied to cover tuition, and 50% is available to offset meals and accommodation costs.
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
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.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre. View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
- If you are applying as an individual, you must complete both the online application form (including $65 processing fee) and a SlideRoom application.
- If you are applying as a collaborative group, the Group Leader must complete both the online application form (including $65 processing fee) and a SlideRoom application. Please submit only one SlideRoom application per group. There will be a $35 registration fee for each additional member upon acceptance to the program.
Project proposal
A project proposal, including materials you are bringing to complete your project. (2 pages maximum)
Resume
A resume describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
For collaborative submissions - a resume for each member of the group should be uploaded within the Group Leader's application.
Portfolio
- Composers: audio or video files of your work
- Visual artists: include eight images representative of recent work, plus catalogues and/or reviews. Provide links to digital images if appropriate.
- Writers: include a selection of published work or manuscripts-in-progress. Writers who work in a language other than English should include a sample of their work in translation as well as the original. (25 pages maximum)
- Other artists: include appropriate examples of your recent work.
Financial Assistance
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in Slideroom to be eligible for financial assistance.
Adjudication
Acceptance is based on the following criteria: quality of artists work, the artistic merit of the project, the ability to support the proposed project and the benefit to be gained by working in a retreat environment.
Eligibility
We invite individual artists and small groups of collaborators to apply, whose projects fit within the footprint of a Leighton Studio and do not require additional support.
Please note, adjudication will prioritize applicants who have not completed a Leighton residency in the past 3 years.
International Applicants
Banff Centre welcomes domestic and international applicants for this program. Please note, Banff Centre programs do not meet Canadian Student Visa eligibility requirements, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted individuals are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. Current wait times to receive a visa are much longer than normal, so applicants who require a Visitor Visa should check the current expected processing times prior to applying.
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