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Program Information
Dates
Application deadline: November 20, 2024
Residency dates:
- April 7, 2025 - December 19, 2025
- January 5, 2026 - March 27, 2026
Crich studio with darkroom:
- May 5, 2025 - May 23, 2025
- October 6, 2025 - October 31, 2025
- December 8, 2025 - December 19, 2025
Individual residences
- may run for a minimum 2 weeks and maximum 6 weeks.
- must start on a Monday and end on a Friday, with arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.
Collaborative/group residencies
- may run for a minimum 1 week and maximum 3 weeks.
- must start on a Monday and end on a Friday, with arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.
There will be no availability between December 19, 2025 and January 5, 2026 due to the Institutional Holiday Closure.
Dates are fixed and if accepted, cannot be changed or deferred. Please ensure to select dates that work for your schedule when applying.
Overview
The Leighton Artist Studios comprise nine distinct studios suitable for individual artists working in the following disciplines:
- writing for stage and screen
- composing and songwriting
- literary arts
- visual arts
- critical and curatorial writing
- interdisciplinary practices not requiring technical support or equipment rental.
A tenth studio, the Painter House, is suitable for groups of two to ten artists working collaboratively. Formal and informal collectives, ensembles, inter-disciplinary collaborators and Indigenous cultural groups are invited to apply for residencies at the Painter House.
Leighton Studio residencies are geared to professional artists working on major research-creation projects or new bodies of work. The program is best suited to artists who are self-motivated, focused, and wanting time and space for introspection.
Projects must fit within one of the artistic disciplines outlined above. The application must include a clearly articulated project description and a resume that demonstrates a strong record of accomplishment. Applications are externally adjudicated. Artists are selected on the basis of artistic merit. The program is highly competitive given the limited number of studios available.
The Leighton Artist Studios do not provide access to external specialized production facilities or technical support. Photographers interested in using darkroom facilities in the Crich Studio will need to demonstrate proficiency and be able to work self-sufficiently. Crich Studio has very limited availability. If your project requires production support, please consider applying to one of our other artist-in-residence programs.
Description
Independent residencies at the Leighton Artist Studios offer professional artists an inspiring retreat environment for the development of their work. The program offers secluded space and focused time for artistic 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.
Artists working in the Leighton Artist Studios can engage with the community on campus by attending talks, performances, exhibitions, and joining in the Participant Resources activity calendar.
Requirements
We invite professional artists with a demonstrated record of accomplishment and a clearly articulated project to apply for a Leighton Artist Studio. Artists are required to be self-motivated and comfortable working independently for the duration of their residency.
Your project must fit within the footprint of a Leighton Studio. Technical and production support and equipment/musical instrument rentals are not provided. 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 that 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.
Eligibility
Artists who have participated in a Leighton Studio residency in the past three years are not eligible to apply.
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.
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.
Regular 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 respond to most dietary requests.
The Regular meal plan is equivalent to $53 credit per day, equivalent to two meals at our Buffet service.
Studio Space
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Create in the privacy of one of our Leighton studios.
Campus Facilities
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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.
- Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness centre at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
- Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
- The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee
$65 for individuals or groups, $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.
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Standard scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs.
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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.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre by viewing a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
Cancellations
Information on our cancelation 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.
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.
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If you are applying as an individual, you must complete both the online application form (including $65 processing fee) and a SlideRoom application.
Resume
A resume describing academic, professional, and other relevant artistic experience.
For collaborative submissions - a resume for each member of the group should be uploaded within the Group Leader's application.
Project proposal
A project proposal, including materials you are bringing to complete your project (2 pages maximum).
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
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