Partnerships in the Arts: Building Resilient Cultural Ecosystems

In today’s interconnected and resource-constrained world, arts and culture leaders must move beyond transactional relationships to build strategic partnerships that foster shared purpose and organizational resilience. This program, offered in partnership with the UK based global Partnership Brokers Association, will enable participants to explore ethical partnering, interest holder alignment, and strategies for long-term impact.

Participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Banff Centre and the Partnership Brokers Association, which includes access to their resource materials and global Partnership Broker's network.

This six-day course equips participants to design and lead high-performing partnerships across public, private, nonprofit, and community sectors. Participants will explore the full partnership cycle—from scoping and brokering to sustaining outcomes and learn about the full spectrum of collaborative relationships. Topics include interest holder mapping, shared governance, resource sharing, and navigating power dynamics. 

Through hands-on workshops, peer exchange, and real-world scenarios, participants will leave with a customized partnership strategy and the confidence to lead collaborative initiatives that are bold, inclusive, and future-focused.

Program highlights

  • The partnership spectrum: from cooperation to co-creation
  • Principles of equitable and ethical partnering
  • Tools for interest holder mapping, value alignment, and shared governance
  • Strategies for resource sharing, joint storytelling, and collective outcomes
  • Case studies of cross-sector partnerships in arts and culture
  • Navigating power dynamics, risk, and accountability in complex collaborations

Financial aid is available.

Deadline
Residency Length
6 days - 6 days
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
30
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Acting
Animation
Architecture
Art Conservation
Art Education
Art History
Augmented Reality
Blacksmithing
Book Arts
Ceramics/Clay Arts/Pottery
Choreography
Computing
Costume/Fashion Design
Criticism
Dance
Digital Fabrication
Digital Media
Documentary
Drawing
Electronic Arts
Environmental Arts
Fiction
Film
Fine Metals/Jewelry
Glass Arts
Graphic Design
History
Illustration
Industrial Design
Installation Arts
Interdisciplinary Arts
Journalism
Landscape Architecture
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
Mixed Media
Moving Image
Multimedia Arts
Music
New Genres
Nonfiction
Opera
Painting
Paper Arts
Performance Art
Philosophy
Photography
Playwriting
Poetry
Printmaking
Public Art
Science
Screenwriting
Sculpture
Social Practice
Sound Art
Storytelling
Symphony
Textile & Fiber Arts/Weaving
Theater
Translation
TV + Radio
Virtual Reality
Visual Arts
Woodworking
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
N/A
Accessible Housing
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Meals Provided
All meals
Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Additional Eligibility Information

The program is designed to cater to arts and culture professionals working in organizations of any size and across any art form (visual arts, galleries, museums, theatre, dance, opera, film, music and literature).

This program is suited to those who are looking to build skills that will allow them to run effective organizations, build healthy and sustainable communities, and drive change, including:

  • Indigenous, Canadian, and international artists
  • Administrators, managers and directors
  • Policymakers
  • Creative producers
  • Education and engagement specialists
  • Community-based cultural workers in urban and rural settings
  • Consultants
Number of Artists Accepted in Most Current Year
30
Artist Stipend
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
3683
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Fee Details

Total fee per person (Tuition, Accommodation and Meal Plan)

$3 683.00

+GST

Application Fee

$65 for individuals, $35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous.

The application fee is non-refundable. 100% of this fee goes towards the cost of administering the application in SlideRoom. 

Funding

Funding of up to $2500 is available to support participants. Those working for non-profits and smaller organizations are encouraged to apply.

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

Funding

Funding of up to $2500 is available to support participants. Those working for non-profits and smaller organizations are encouraged to apply.

If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.

Application Fee
65
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Application Type
Open application