Residencies

KIAC Artist Residency

Founded in 2001, in a partnership with Parks Canada, the KIAC Artist in Residence Program has welcomed over 300 talented artists, musicians and filmmakers to Dawson City from all regions of Canada and around the world. Our alumni include Sobey Art Award nominees, Western Canada Music Award winners, and prize-winning filmmakers from film festivals across the globe.

The residence accommodates two artists concurrently for research, development and production of ongoing or new bodies of work.

KIAC accepts applications from visual artists, media artists and interdisciplinary artists, as well as curators.

Consideration will be given to professional, established and emerging Canadian and international artists. All disciplines will be considered.

General call

Applicants may apply for residencies 4–12 weeks in duration.

Artists are expected to host one public artist talk or open studio event during their residency and may also have the opportunity to facilitate outreach programs such as workshops and exhibitions, intended to promote interaction and professional development, and provide access to a diverse range of contemporary arts practices and theories within the community.

Housing and studio space are provided. Participants are responsible for all travel and personal expenses including food and materials related to their work. No honorariums are provided.

Deadline November 15, 2024

Applicant Eligibility

KIAC accepts residence applications from visual artists, media artists and interdisciplinary artists, as well as curators. Consideration will be given to professional, established and emerging Canadian and international artists. KIAC encourages applications from artists of diverse cultural and regional communities including BIPOC or LGTBQIA2S+ artists.
All disciplines will be considered including but not limited to: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Sculpture, Ceramics, Design, Architecture, Photography, Installation, Performance, Video and Film, Filmmaking, New Media, and Audio.

Project eligibility

Residencies are available for research, development and production of ongoing or new bodies of work. Artists’ proposed projects should take into account KIAC’s limited resources.Projects that do not require access to specialized equipment are most suitable to the residency program. Artists are responsible for ensuring any additional specialized equipment.

Learn more www.kiac.ca

Dates

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Program Dates: May 12 - May 23, 2025

Overview  

This two-week residency encourages the exploration of new ideas in literary journalism (creative non-fiction) and experimentation in writing. Designed to challenge and stimulate, the program aims to inspire creative pieces of non-fiction and to assist the writers in their completion. 
A preeminent space for long-form journalism, this residency emphasizes the strengths of thorough and articulate reporting, distinctive storytelling, and literary devices. 
Work created in this program has been published in many outlets including The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, and The Atlantic, and pieces have gone on to win National Magazine and National Newspaper Awards.

Description

Writers will have time to:

• work on their manuscripts in their individual studios.
• consult with faculty members Kyo Maclear, Taras Grescoe, Sarah Berman, and Amanda Crocker (Between the Lines Press).
• participate in group discussions. 

Faculty will provide mentorship and one-on-one workshops to discuss:

• story ideas. 
• craft concepts such as voice and structure. 
• challenges writers may be encountering with their literary journalism.

Requirements

Literary Journalism is designed for writers seeking a professional development opportunity in a community of peers with the guidance of an experienced writer/editor, as each participant prepares a long form piece.

Applicants should be experienced professionals, active in the diversified fields of writing, including print or electronic media. This program is open to fiction and non-fiction writers, journalists, freelance critics or curators, artists, and academics, with an emphasis on those who can write for a lay audience with logic, vigour, and charm—and those who have a portfolio to prove it.

This program is not open to:

• applicants who have taken part in a Banff Centre residency in the last year.
• current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming.

This program is run in English and only accepts projects that are being written in English. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

For more information and to apply.

Dates

Application Deadline: March 5, 2025
Program Dates: August 18 - August 29, 2025

Overview  

Summer Writers is a self-directed residency that provides writers with the time and space to focus on their work away from the constraints of everyday life. During the residency, writers can take advantage of one-on-one mentorship opportunities with faculty as well as a community of artistic peers. 
Faculty include Dr. Douglas Kearney, Dr. Holly Melgard, Dr. Eric Sneathen and professional guest Hazel Millar (Book*hug Press). 

Description

This two-week self-directed residency offers time and space for writers to focus, reconnect, and re-energize their writing practice. In addition to a single room and a small private studio, writers will be able to engage with other writers on the program.
As a flexible self-guided program with optional elements, the Summer Writers residency allows participants to choose the amount of support they are looking for. 
Optional program elements include:

• talks from faculty members Dr. Holly Melgard, Dr. Eric Sneathen, Dr. Douglas Kearney, and professional guest Hazel Millar (Book*hug Press).
• Q & A sessions. 
• public readings.
• one-on-one mentoring with faculty to discuss ideas, experiences, and writing obstacles.

Requirements

The program is designed for established writers with a proven publication record seeking a period of dedicated time to work on a project in any genre. Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. 
This program is not open to:

• applicants who have taken part in a Banff Centre residency in the last year.
• current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming.

This program is run in English and only accepts projects that are being written in English. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

For more infrormation and to apply.

Dates

Application Deadline: January 29, 2025
Program Dates: June 2 – July 4, 2025

Overview  

Visual Arts Residency – Kapishkum: Métis Gathering is a five-week program designed for Métis visual artists, creative makers, and curators. 
In Michif, kapishkum means “to transcend”, and this residency comes at a pivotal point. As Indigenous creative production from Northern Turtle Island increasingly attracts local, national, and global interest, individual Métis artists remain underrepresented and contemporary Métis culture is little known. More importantly, Métis, while in solidarity with all Indigenous peoples, are looking to bolster Métis-specific art, creative forms, methodologies, and unique ways of being, knowing, and doing.
Participants will join celebrated Métis faculty mentors to produce a nurturing, collaborative, critical, and productive environment. In addition to access to world-class facilities and technical support, participants can build community with their artistic peers within the spectacular natural landscape of Banff National Park, Minihrpa, Treaty 7 territory.

Description

This residency fosters the exchange of ideas and knowledge among artists, encouraging them to produce work that embodies the diverse and complex nature of Métis culture while addressing contemporary Métis-specific issues. 
Participants in this residency will be supported with:

• lectures.
• workshops.
• feedback from celebrated faculty members Jason Baerg, Marjorie Beaucage, Daphne Boyer, Liz Barron, and David Garneau, 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.

Requirements 

The program is designed to cater to Métis artists at all stages of their careers who have completed formal training in fine arts at the post-secondary level or who have equivalent experience and recognition from their peers acquired through traditional knowledge and practices, including:

• multi-generational artists. 
• visual artists.
• curators.
• arts professionals.
• creative makers.
• collaborative groups of no more than two.

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.
• exploring and researching innovative ideas.

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

For more information and to apply.

Dates

Application Deadline: April 16, 2025
Program Dates: September 08 - September 19, 2025

Overview  

Science Fiction is a self-directed residency that provides writers with the time and space to focus on their work away from the constraints of everyday life. During the two-week residency science fiction writers can take advantage of one-on-one mentorship opportunities with faculty, group discussions, and a community of artistic peers.
Faculty include Premee Mohamed, Ai Jiang, Amal El-Mohtar, and professional guest Ali Fisher.

Description

This two-week self-directed residency provides participants with individual accommodation and a small private studio for writers to focus, reconnect, and re-energize their writing practice. In addition, participants will be able to engage with other science fiction writers on the program.
As a flexible self-directed program with optional elements, the Science Fiction residency allows you to choose the amount of support you are looking for. 
Optional program elements include:

• thematic teachings from science fiction specialists Premee Mohamed, Ai Jiang, Amal El-Mohtar, and professional guest Ali Fisher.
• one-on-one mentoring sessions with faculty to discuss ideas, experiences and obstacles.
• Q & A sessions. 
• public readings.
• workshops to discuss useful techniques, devices and aspects.

Requirements

The residency is designed to cater to experienced, professional writers with a publication record looking to explore the future of Science Fiction writing and focus on works in progress.
Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The residency suits those focused on:

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

This program is run in English and only accepts projects that are being written in English. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

For more information and to apply.

Dates

Application Deadline: February 26, 2025
Program Dates: July 22 – August 21, 2025

Overview  

Early Career Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) Summer 2025 is an immersive program of studio practice, creative exploration, critical feedback, and mentorship for visual artists and curators in the early stages of their careers. 
Open to visual artists and curators working in all visual arts mediums, this program combines the artistic freedom of a self-directed residency with the benefits of technical and faculty support. As well as having the space to create, research, and experiment, participants are part of a community of emerging artists committed to developing and expanding their practice.

Description

Participants in this residency will be supported with:

• lectures.
• workshops.
• 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.

Requirements

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 the early stage of their artistic careers, providing them with tailored opportunities for professional development and creative growth, including:

• ceramicists.
• curators.
• 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 completed relevant training within five years and who have not previously attended a Visual Arts residency at Banff Centre.
For more information and to apply.

Program Dates: April 7 – April 18, 2025
Application Deadline: January 8, 2025

Overview  

Horror Writing is a self-directed residency that provides writers with the time and space to focus on their work away from the constraints of everyday life. During this two-week residency horror writers can take advantage of one-on-one mentorship opportunities with faculty, group discussions, and a community of artistic peers. 
Faculty include horror writing specialists Jessica Johns, Shane Hawk, Cherie Dimaline, and professional guest Catharine Chen (Arsenal Pulp Press). 
All the program elements are optional, giving participants the flexibility to choose the amount of support they want.

Description

This two-week self-directed residency offers horror writers:

• thematic teachings from faculty members and professional guests.
• a community of artistic peers.
• one-on-one workshopping with faculty.
• optional group sessions exploring useful literary tools, aspects, and devices.
• an opportunity to showcase your work at a public reading.
• a personal studio space equipped for creative work.

Requirements

The program is designed to cater to horror writers working at any stage of their artistic careers, providing them with tailored opportunities for professional development and creative growth.
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 within the genre.

This program is run in English and only accepts projects that are being written in English. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.

Eligibility

Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date. 

Domestic and international applications are welcome.

For more information and to apply: bit.ly/3YJU8j9

This two-week residency encourages writers of Literary Journalism focusing on Environmental Concerns. Designed to challenge and stimulate, the program aims to inspire creative pieces of non-fiction and to assist the writers in their completion.

The program addresses universal environmental concerns at a time when they could not be more relevant – from fire and flood, to climate change, to life after oil. 

A preeminent space for long-form journalism, this residency emphasizes the strengths of thorough and articulate reporting, distinctive storytelling, and literary devices. 

Running from February 24 - March 7, 2025, this residency receives a full scholarship, including accommodation and meals.

Deadline for application is October 2, 2024. 

For more information about this residency, and to apply, visit www.banffcentre.ca/programs.

This 12-day self-directed residency offers writers, from all creative genres, the opportunity to work away from the constraints of everyday life. Delve deep into your creative project and take advantage of the artistic community of your peers around you.

This program provides opportunities for consultations with exceptional mentors Danez Smith and Omar El Akkad and professional guest Samantha Haywood (Transatlantic Agency), and optional group sessions that allow writers to explore literary tools, aspects, and devices that you may find useful in your practice.

Running from January 13 - 24, 2025, this residency receives a partial scholarship to cover 100% of tuition and 50% towards accommodation and meal plan.

The total cost to participant is $1,092.

Deadline for applications is September 11, 2024.

To find out more about this program, and to apply, visit www.banffcentre.ca/programs.