Literary Arts Thematic: Form and Constraint - Spring 2024
Program Information
Program faculty Daniel Levin Becker (left) and Ian Williams (right)
Overview
Banff Centre’s Form and Constraint Residency focuses on authors of fiction and poetry who use form and constrained forms – rhyme, metrics, Oulipian constraints – to create opportunities for new and unfettered expression.
This self-directed residency offers the opportunity to work away from the concerns of everyday life. Delve deep into your creative project and take advantage of the artistic community of your peers around you. This residency provides opportunities for consultations with mentors, readings, and optional group sessions led by guest mentors that allow creators to explore techniques, aspects, and devices that you may find useful in your practice.
This flexible program allows you to choose the amount of support you are looking for. All program elements are optional.
What does the program offer?
This 12-day self-directed residency provides mentorship from faculty members and professional guests, Q&A sessions, public events, and one-on-one workshopping. Mentors will discuss ideas, experiences, and obstacles that participants may be encountering with their writing.
Who should apply?
We welcome writers (18+) from all backgrounds, and all gender identities and expressions. Writers in all creative genres are invited to apply. The program is designed for emerging and established writers with a proven publication record seeking a period of dedicated time to work on a project in any genre.
This program is not open to current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming.
Note: While the language of Banff Centre is English, we also welcome projects in French for this residency.
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. 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.
Each participant will be allocated a small studio as a private writing space.
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress
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.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
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.
The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives - Current Services
We are delighted to offer the following services for Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty:
- Open hours: 9:30 am to 1 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
- Library accounts for borrowing materials
- Digital Library
- Research assistance, by appointment
Please email library@banffcentre.ca or archives@banffcentre.ca for more information or assistance.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 ($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.
*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.
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.
This program is not open to current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming.
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 must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date.
This program is not open to current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming. Applications will not be accepted from any applicants who have participated in a Banff Centre program in the last 12 months.
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:
