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.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
Each residency has specific eligibility requirements; please visit our website for our current and available programs open for application.
Total fee per person (Tuition, Accommodation and Meal Plan): $3 616.20
Scholarship Amount Applied*: $2 469.60
You pay (fee after scholarship applied): $1 146.60
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.
Scholarships
We are pleased to offer scholarships to support participants in our program. Below are details regarding the scholarship amount and how they are applied.
- Standard scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs
- Canadian Indigenous scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, meals, and accommodation costs
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
Banff Centre offers a range of scholarship and funding opportunities for each residency. If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials through the application portal.
Please visit the Fees & Financial Aid section of the program page to learn more about individual program's specific fees and funding availabilities.