Independent Residencies in dance studios, rehearsal spaces or music studios
Application Deadline October 29, 2025
Program Dates Apr 06, 2026 - Mar 26, 2027
Program Durations: Residencies can be 1 or 2 weeks in length. Longer residencies may be considered on a case-by-case basis subject to availability
Proposed dates must start on a Monday and end on a Friday, with arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.
Overview
This is your time for uninterrupted space to start or advance your project in our dance studios, rehearsal spaces or music studios. Ideal for solo creators or small to medium sized ensembles, it provides the space and freedom to move, make noise, and focus deeply on your work.
Open to performance-based practices - dancers, choreographers, theatre-makers, opera artists, musicians, and interdisciplinary collaborators - these residencies welcome you to explore, experiment, and create new work. With access to dance studios or rehearsal spaces, large instruments that cannot travel - along with with limited production support - you’ll have the freedom to shape your work independently, designing your own creative process without structured programming or mentorship, in the solitude of Banff Centre’s inspiring mountain setting.
Description
Ideal for bold, self-directed artists and collectives whose projects need space, sound, or movement not possible in the Leighton Artist Studios. Perfect for:
- Dance: choreography, research
- Theatre: playwriting, dramaturgy, development
- Opera: composition, research
- Music: composition, research
- Interdisciplinary: hybrid or genre-defying work
Residencies include smaller, private studios and rehearsal spaces equipped for performance-based practices and will be allocated according to need. Studios features may include:
- Dance flooring (Marley/sprung or carpet)
- Small PA system
- Tables, chairs, mirror wall or rolling mirrors
- Height clearance for lifts/choreography
- Pianos and instruments too large for travel
- Self-recording equipment
Professional recording may be available in our recording studio or performance spaces, pending availability. This would incur a separate fee. If interested, please indicate as such in your application, your preferred recording date, and a brief outline of the project scope.
Requirements
We welcome applications from creative professionals and collectives at all career stages who:
- Have a demonstrated record of accomplishment
- Have a clearly articulated project ready for focused development which fits within the footprint of a Banff Centre performing arts studio or rehearsal space
- Can work independently without mentorship, production or tech support
- Bring their own equipment and materials
- Collaborative groups of up to 6 people can apply
We are pleased to offer a limited amount of financial aid to support participants in our program.
Any personal information provided in a request to post a listing on the AFA newsfeed, or in the listing itself, will be used for the purpose of posting to the AFA’s newsfeed, administering the AFA’s website and providing individuals and organizations with information on AFA programs and events. Such information is collected under the authority of section 33 (c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and is protected by the privacy provisions of the Act. Should you have any questions about the collection of this information, you may contact Aaron Talbot, Arts Services Consultant – Communications, at 780-289-3781.