Banff Centre completed an upgrade of the application system 21st September. If you notice any issues please contact the Admissions Office or call 403 762 6180.
We will be launching applications for Spring 2024 programs in November. You can sign up to the Newsletter to receive an alert when applications open.
Indigenous Haute Couture – Digital Embellishments 2024
Program Information

Livia Manywounds, artist. Banff Centre 2022 Indigenous Haute Couture Residency. Photo by Rita Taylor.
Overview
The four-week Indigenous Haute Couture Fashion Residency, led by faculty lead D’Arcy Moses, will offer eight Indigenous textile-based artists the opportunity to incorporate upcycled and/or digital embellishments into their work and to develop their designs and pattern development skills.
Indigenous fashion makers and designers will explore experimental elements or accomplish finished productions of their work with an haute couture aesthetic in a fully supported environment.
What does the program offer?
Indigenous Haute Couture - Digital Embellishments will have a strong visual arts component adapting silk screening, laser cutting, 3D Printing, digital embroidery, and casting processes as a component to the design process, exploring fashion's responsibility to address its part in the climate crisis through adapting new elements into their designs.
Participants are invited to bring projects to work on inspired by their Indigeneity and based on the traditional silhouettes, lines and/or materials of their culture.
Presented discussions with faculty will focus on Indigenous identity and culture in the garment business, as well as recycling, repurposing materials and/or related conversations.
The guest faculty will support the participant’s exploration and research into Indigenous Haute Couture through their Indigenous lens.
Who should apply?
- Participants must have a background in fashion or garment design in womenswear.
- Participants must have a basic knowledge of pattern making in the garment business.
- Participants must have some experience in garment construction, sewing, and working with a sewing machine.
- Ideally, participants are interested in or already incorporate digital approaches to embellishments.
This program is open to regional, national and global Indigenous fashion makers, designers and design companies, Indigenous jewelry makers, Indigenous beaders, Indigenous traditional artists including hide tanners and porcupine quillers, provocateurs, disrupters, advocates pushing the boundaries of their artistic practice, Indigenous artists that serve their community, Artistic leaders in Fashion Arts and collaborators of all performing arts disciplines.
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 Full Flex meal plan includes $61.95 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service
Create in one of our specialized studios and utilize shared production facilities.
Your program fee includes free access to the climbing gym and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
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.
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress in an open studios event in Glyde Hall.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
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: $35
*Financial Aid of 100% is available to cover all program costs
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
*Application Fees are non-refundable.
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.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormStep 2:
Pay your application feePlease login with the username and password emailed to you on completion of step 1.
Step 3:
Upload Your MaterialsResource Request Information
Please provide details of any equipment required for your project, including equipment you will be bringing with you and equipment you are requesting Banff Centre provides, as well as any training or support you will need in order to use it. This form can be found in the Slideroom tool.
Adjudication
Adjudication is based on artistic merit, the potential impact of the program on artists’ practice and careers, project feasibility and the capacity of Banff Centre to help realize the project, and the project’s fit with Banff Centre’s values and strategic directions as described in its strategic plan. Banff Centre respects the need for artists to plan ahead for their visit; applicants will be notified as soon as adjudication is complete.
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.
Eligibility
Applicants over the age of 18 at the program start date and Elders are eligible to apply.
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: