Overview
The Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award recognizes outstanding emerging Canadian dance choreographers or companies, celebrating new voices, ideas, and approaches to professional dance. Established in 1978 by the Clifford E. Lee Foundation, the award supports the creation and development of innovative choreographic work.
Applicants must submit a proposal for a full-length piece that explores a contemporary approach to dance in any style, designed for an ensemble of up to five dancers. The selected recipient will receive a cash prize, along with a creation residency in December 2025 and a production residency, subject to scheduling.
Description
The Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award is a combination of a $14,000 CAD cash prize for the commission of a new work and two residencies at Banff Centre. Banff Centre can support a company with up to five Canadian dancers, and a small team, including Choreographer, rehearsal director, stage manager, and designers. Both residencies include meals and accommodation for all company members at the Banff Centre.
First Residency (December 8–18, 2025):
- Focus on research and development.
- Provides studio space without technical support.
Second Residency (Dates TBD):
- Focus on production development.
- Scheduled based on project timeline and Banff Centre availability.
- Takes place in a venue space that is suitable for the project.
- Includes three technicians (lighting, sound, and staging) for two weeks.
- Concludes with a public performance.
Requirements
- Open to emerging Canadian choreographers (citizens or permanent residents) who have had only one or less mainstage presentations of a full-length dance work.
- Open to any style of contemporary dance.
- Applicants should have access to a company of up to five dancers for the creation and production of the work. If an applicant does not have access to a company, Banff Centre can facilitate arrangements with a suitable professional company on site.
Due to the generous support of Clifford E Lee Foundation all program fees including accommodation and meal plans for both residencies are fully covered.
APPLY NOW
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.
If you would like to share arts opportunities, events, or other community arts news through the AFA website, please submit a story using the form below. New posts are featured on the front page of the AFA website, and staff will typically publish new posts within a week.
Please follow instructions closely, especially those related to publishing an image, for quicker turnaround time. (Don't forget to provide details like deadline dates, contact information, time of event or address, or website where folks can find more information.)
By submitting a post to be published on the AFA website, you are agreeing to the AFA's Terms of Use.