Leighton Artist Studio Residency: Solo 27/28

Overview

A Leighton Studio Residency offers creative professionals 2 to 6 weeks of focused, self-directed time in one of the 8 Leighton Studios. These private, purpose-built studios are set in the forested surroundings of Banff Centre. This competitive program supports research creation, exploration, and project development, with the flexibility to work in solitude.

You will benefit from management of your time in residence, choosing when to focus, collaborate, explore and create. 

Description

Leighton Studios are private workspaces designed to support a range of creative disciplines. Each studio offers a distinct environment, allowing applicants to indicate a preferred space that best supports their practice.

• Writers and curators may prefer the Hemingway, Henriquez, or Evamy studios—quiet, contemplative spaces designed for literary or research-based projects.
• Musicians, composers, and songwriters may select the Valentine, Davidson, or Cardinal studios, which accommodate solo composition or sound-based work.
• Visual Artists, designers, animators, and filmmakers often choose the Thom or Gerin-Lajoie studios, which provide more space for physical creation and experimentation. 

Learn more about each studio’s features and find the best fit for your project.

This residency is designed for independent work and does not include production support, technical assistance, or access to specialized facilities. Applicants are responsible for bringing all materials, equipment, and supplies required for their project.

Dates

Residencies can be a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks, with proposed dates starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday and arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.

As part of the application, you will be asked to identify your preferred residency dates from within the available date ranges listed below. Please select dates that align with your availability and project timeline.

Available date ranges:

• April 5 – June 18, 2027
• July 5 – December 10, 2027
• January 10 – March 31, 2028

Residency dates and studio assignments will be determined based on studio availability, technical requirements, and Banff Centre’s ability to support the specific needs of each project.

Important: Residency dates are confirmed at the time of acceptance and are final. Once assigned, dates cannot be changed, deferred, or rescheduled. Please ensure that the date ranges you select in your application align with your availability and commitments.

Requirements

This residency is open to creative professionals with a demonstrated record of accomplishment and a clearly defined project. Including but not limited to:

• Design: architectural, environmental, interactive, visual, functional, and fashion
• Music: composition and songwriting
• Theatre Arts: dramaturgy, playwriting, and theatrical development
• Visual Arts: curatorial research/writing, drawing, painting, digital art, and multimedia
• Writing: literature, poetry, non-fiction, journalism, and screenwriting
• Interdisciplinary Projects: work integrating multiple creative disciplines

Applicants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. This residency is best suited for those who:

• work independently without production support, instrument rentals, or access to specialized production facilities 
• have a project that fits within the footprint of a Leighton Studio 
• provide all materials, equipment, and supplies required for their project

If your project requires production support, please consider applying to one of our other artist in residence programs in Literary Arts, Music, Dance, Theatre, Indigenous Arts or Visual Arts. If you are looking for traditional rehearsal space in music, theatre or dance, consider looking at our Independent Residencies.

Eligibility

Artists who have participated in a Leighton Studio residency in the past three years are not eligible to apply. The three-year restriction applies to all artists who have attended a Leighton Studio residency in any capacity as a solo artist or as a member of a group or collective.

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.

Accessibility: The Leighton 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 accommodation.