Residencies

Application Deadline July 9, 2025

Program Dates Jan 12, 2026 - Jan 30, 2026

Overview  

This residency provides individual musicians and bands/ensembles of all genres with space and dedicated time to research, create, and develop projects within Banff Centre’s exceptional campus and mountain setting. 

You will have the freedom to focus on your artistic process and structure your time according to your project’s needs. Additionally, you'll receive artistic inspiration and career advice from well-established faculty. The diverse range of artistic influences over the three weeks, combined with opportunities for peer interaction and collaboration, will foster new discoveries and transformative experiences. 

Description

This residency offers the unique opportunity for musicians at all career stages and all genres time and space to:

• Research, develop, and create their own projects, taking risks and experimenting with new ideas in a supportive environment to enhance creative practices.
• Focus on creative exploration and experimentation through peer and mentor-led group or one-on-one sessions.
• Be inspired by peers and collaborate with musicians across various genres.
• Explore new material and performance practices through public concerts that simulate professional working conditions and timelines.
• Learn to self-record in your own studio to independently document and disseminate your work.
• Gain insights into industry best practices for recording demos by collaborating with audio engineers, professional training participants, and mentors (if available).
• Join an expanded artistic community at Banff Centre for ongoing networking and support throughout your career.

A limited number of studio recording possibilities will be offered by the Professional Training Program: Audio Engineer: BMiR participants.  

Requirements

The program is ideal for individual musicians, ensembles, bands, composers, and music researchers who wish to:

• Spend focused time on a specific project
• Create new works
• Prepare for concerts, auditions, or competitions
• Explore and research innovative ideas

Participants should be comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment to fully benefit from the program. Musicians at all levels are encouraged to apply. Attendance for all three weeks of the residency is required.

Artistic Associate

Those seeking additional professional development can apply for the role of Artistic Associate, this unique opportunity is available to an individual of exceptional musical ability and maturity. In addition to the program elements the Artistic Associate will:

• Act as the liaison between faculty and musicians throughout the program.
• Be involved in the delivery and event curation of the Banff Musicians in Residence program.
• Facilitate communication between visiting artists, resident musicians, Music programming, and production staff.

The successful applicant for the Artistic Associate will receive a scholarship covering 100% of the program costs and a travel award that is subject to regional maximums, not to exceed $1500. 

• Standard scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs

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Application Deadline May 14, 2025

Program Dates Sep 11, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025

Overview  

This program provides early-career stage managers with the opportunity to enhance their skills under the guidance of professional mentors. Expand your stage management toolkit through hands-on experience in prompt script creation, script analysis, and effective communication. Gain practical experience supporting Kohkom’s premiere production of Babushka, as an assistant stage manager during the program. 

Description

This program offers a comprehensive, hands-on experience covering the entire production cycle. As an assistant stage manager, you will gain valuable insight into the collaborative nature of stage management while working alongside professional mentors, you will develop essential stage management skills, including:

• Engage in the full production process – from pre-production and planning to rehearsals, technical rehearsals, opening night, and strike.
• Effective communication with cast, crew, and creative teams. Including Script analysis and prompt script creation, cue calling and show execution.
• Leadership and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment, including time management and scheduling.
• Technical awareness and coordination with production departments to integrate all production elements.
• Gain practical experience as an assistant stage manager for Kohkom’s premiere production of Babushka in the Margaret Greenham Theatre
• Receive mentorship and feedback from experienced stage managers and theatre professionals.

This immersive opportunity will strengthen your confidence and expertise, equipping you with the tools necessary for a successful career in stage management.

Requirements

This program is for early-career stage managers who are looking to deepen their experience in both the rehearsal room and theatre setting. 

Ideal candidates should have some prior experience in stage management, either through educational training, community, or professional theatre, who are passionate about stage management and seeking hands-on experience to further develop their professional toolkit.

• Due to the generous support of the Slaight Family Foundation the scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees, meals, and accommodation costs.

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Application Deadline May 14, 2025

Program Dates Sep 15, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025

Overview  

New Play Actor Training provides an opportunity for actors to develop and implement the skills needed to meaningfully workshop new theatre. Participants will engage with a diverse list of texts at various stages of development under the tutelage of guest directors and playwrights. Actors will work on text analysis, be provided with a technical toolkit to assist with cold reading, and practice providing articulate and helpful feedback to creators.

Description

Actors can spend a large portion of their careers workshopping and acting in premieres, but there is very little training specifically for this practice. This program offers early career and established performers the opportunity to explore new plays, alongside lectures, Q & As, coaching's, and on your feet practical application in the skills directors and playwrights look for when working with actors. Participants will receive:

• Mentorship with leading playwrights and directors and dramaturges
• Daily warmups and rehearsals in studio
• Hands on practical work on new plays
• Q and A's and seminars with those experienced in the field

Requirements

Actors at any stage of their careers, ideally with some training in a post-secondary training environment, and some experience in a rehearsal room.

• Standard scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs

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Application Deadline June 25, 2025

Program Dates Nov 17, 2025 - Dec 05, 2025

Overview  

The three-week Indigenous Fashion Runway Residency offers four Indigenous fashion designers the opportunity to build their portfolios and showcase their runway work in a professional setting.

Participants will be supported by the faculty and Banff Centre’s production team as they explore working with models, photography, and fashion show preparation. This residency is a balance of exploration and self-directed preparation for the runway to showcase 6-8 looks.

Designers may apply with up to 2 collaborators. 

Description

This program offers four Indigenous designers and their collaborators will have the opportunity to work together on coordinating their segment of the fashion showcase runway. The program provides mentorship and professional development, fostering learning through hands-on experience, including:

• Developing portfolios and showcasing work in a professional setting
• Working with faculty and Banff Centre’s production team
• Exploring modeling, photography, and runway preparation.

Program Highlights:

• Collaborate on a fashion showcase runway, which will be professionally photographed and recorded with B-roll for your portfolio
• Workshops on lighting, projection, staging, sound design, and special effects.
• Faculty led sessions on: Fashion as a Career, Marketing and Promotion of Products, Preparing for the Runway, and working with models and industry professions. 

The residency will take place in Banff Centre’s Performing Arts Facilities, where each design team will have access to Lazlo Funtek Dance Studios, The Wardrobe Facility and the Margaret Greenham Theatre. 

Requirements

Indigenous designers are invited to apply with a newly featured design line that is either complete or near completion at the time of application, ensuring it is ready for showcase during the program.

• Open to regional, national, and global Indigenous fashion makers, designers, and design companies.
• Applicants will submit a portfolio, along with the theme and background of their work.

Lead Designers can apply with a co-designer (adornment & jewelry), and/or a designer’s assistant to support their design line. Their contributions will be recognized as designers in collaboration. All participants will take part in program sessions.

• Scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees and meals and accommodation costs

Apply Online