Visual arts & new media

Created by the friends and family of the late artist Barbara Spohr, the Barbara Spohr Memorial Award for Photography encourages the development of Canadian contemporary photography by providing financial and creative assistance to a mid-career artist making a compelling contribution to the field. 

This annual award supports one mid-career Canadian artist (Canadian citizen or permanent resident) working in photography to undertake a fully funded residency at the Banff Centre.

Description

During this month-long self-directed residency, the award winner will have

• 24/7 access to the Crich Studio, a Leighton Artist Studio featuring private analogue darkroom facilities.
• access to digital photographic production.
• production support from the photography facilitator at Banff Centre.
• the option of giving a public talk with an associated fee at CARFAC-based rates.

Please note that limited darkroom supplies are available for purchase. The award winner should anticipate bringing supplies as needed for their project.

This residency is designed for participation over the entire program period. Variable dates will not be considered.

Requirements

Applications are open to Canadian mid-career photo-based artists with a strong exhibition record. 

For the purposes of this program, mid-career is defined as having

• a strong body of work with a minimum of ten exhibitions in a professional context, such as artist-run centres, public art galleries, recognized photo festivals, etc.
• 8 to 15 years of professional arts experience.
• demonstrated commitment to professional practice.

Applicants should demonstrate proficiency with darkroom processes, with an awareness of safety procedures.

The program suits those focused on

• working on a specific project.
• creating new works.
• exploring and researching innovative ideas.

Application Deadline: June 18, 2025
Program Dates: Jan 19, 2026 - Feb 13, 2026

For more information and to apply: https://bit.ly/4ksP5fU

Application Deadline: June 11, 2025
Program Dates Jan 12, 2026 - Feb 13, 2026

Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) - Winter 2026 is designed for visual artists at any stage of their career to focus on their practice in a supportive learning environment. 

Over five weeks, participants are encouraged to self-direct their research and time, as well as cultivate new directions in their work. The experience of artists in residence is further supported through individual studio visits with faculty, workshops, and lectures. In addition, participants have the opportunity to build community, create connections, and share their work with other artists-in-residence and the public.

This program is designed for participation over the entire program period. Variable dates will not be considered.

Participants in this residency will be supported with:

• lectures
• workshops
• peer dialogue
• feedback from experienced faculty members who will be available for both group and one-on-one consultations

Artists are provided with a studio, as well as targeted access to our extensive facilities. This includes:

• access to personal studio spaces equipped for creative work, available 24/7, providing a dedicated environment for artistic expression
• targeted access to shared production facilities and knowledgeable staff who are available to provide technical assistance and support

Facility access is based on availability of facilitators and priority goes to those requesting access in their initial applications. 

This residency is for individual artists and collaborative groups (of no more than two) who have:

• completed formal training in visual arts at the post-secondary level, or 
• equivalent experience and recognition from their peers acquired through traditional knowledge and practices. 

The program is designed to cater to visual artists at all stages of their artistic careers, providing them with tailored opportunities for professional development and creative growth, including:

• ceramicists
• digital media artists
• painters
• paper artists
• photographers
• print-makers
• sculptors

Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The program suits those focused on:

• working on a specific project.
• creating new works.

Priority will be given to artists who have not attended a Visual Arts residency at Banff Centre in the past three years.

Celebrate The Carrot’s 18th Birthday on July 19, 2025, with an unforgettable day of Chalk-It-Up fun! Watch chalk artists create stunning masterpieces, enjoy live music, indulge in delicious food, and explore the all-ages Artisan Market. Starting at 9 AM, dive into a day filled with creativity, performances, and good vibes. Bring your loved ones, make memories, and experience a day full of joy, laughter, and artistry. Don’t miss out—this is a celebration you won’t want to miss!

More info here!