Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity | Literary Arts

Image: Doug Robichaud.

Image: Doug Robichaud.

Image from Banff Centre's Spoken Word residency.

Image from Banff Centre's Spoken Word residency.

Image from Banff Centre's Emerging Writers' Intensive.

Image from Banff Centre's Emerging Writers' Intensive.

Image of Banff Centre's campus.

Image of Banff Centre's campus.

Image of Banff Centre's campus.

Image of Banff Centre's campus.

Banff Centre for Arts & Creativity | Literary Arts

Banff, AB, Canada

Banff Centre’s Literary Arts programs provide an inspiring space and focused time for emerging and established writers to push the boundaries of their talent and realize their potential. Our programs prepare writers in all genres for literary success on a national and international scale.

Since the first summer playwriting program was offered in 1937, Banff Centre has provided writers with exceptional opportunities for artistic development within a community of supportive peers. Today, our year-round roster of intensive thematic residencies involves many of Canada’s most celebrated writers.

Learn more about Literary Arts here.

Contact

107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff AB T1L 1H5
Canada

Year Founded
1933
Context
Rural
Remote
Residency Structure
Stand-alone
Embedded in an arts or cultural organization (including theater + gallery)
Embedded in a non-profit inn and retreat center
Residency Program Type
Studio-based (with housing)
Thematic
Retreat
Research
Experiential
Residency Length
5 days - 6 months
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
15
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
May apply as a team
Discipline
Criticism
Fiction
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Literature
New Genres
Nonfiction
Playwriting
Poetry
Screenwriting
Translation
Writing
Storytelling
Companions
N/A
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Any stage of career
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in public programming
Participate in open studio with fellow residents
Give artist talk or presentation
How does your residency program support artists?
Opportunity to be in another context
Opportunity to travel
Immersion in new culture and/context
Unstructured time
Restricted funding
Access to studio space to create new work
Access to equipment, specialized facilities and/or technical support
Access to training on new artistic techniques and/or apprenticeship
Inspiration from natural environment
Inspiration from cultural context
Professional development support and/or trainings
Opportunities to develop relationships with local or regional artists/arts organizations
Opportunities to collaborate with other artists/residents
Opportunities to develop relationships with other artists/residents
Opportunities to exhibit or perform new work
Additional Eligibility Information

Each residency has specific eligibility requirements; please visit our website for our current and available programs open for application.

Artist Stipend
Travel Stipend/Material Stipends
Residency Fees
Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
Grant/Scholarship/Other Funding Support Details

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. 

Application Fee
65
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Application Type
Open application
What does your program provide during the residency experience?
Manual / handbook before arrival
Communication before arrival to discuss accommodations, medical conditions, or other health needs
Orientation upon arrival
Contact information and available accommodations for programs, events, and campus
Links to resources, effective practices, grievance procedures, etc.
Accessible seating
Contact info for accessibility requests for event/programming
Is your campus wheelchair accessible?
Partially Accessible
Additional Accessibility Information

Banff Centre strives to support individuals to the best of our ability and believe addressing accommodations is a collaborative process to establish the appropriate supports. If you have mobility or other accessibility requirements, please inform Participant Resources as soon as possible upon your acceptance into a program. Any delay in requesting accommodations will affect our ability to make arrangements on your behalf resulting in limited options and/or a delay in commencement of accommodations.

Once your information is received, we will be in contact to discuss how (and if) we are able to support the accommodations required to ensure you can be successful in your program.

Caregiver/Aide/PCA
Housing available on campus
Case by case consideration by staff
Accessibility Contact Name
Registrar
Accessibility Contact Email
participant_resources@banffcentre.ca
Accessibility Contact Phone Number
Other Services/Aids Offered in Residency + Other Programming

Please visit the following links to learn more about Banff Centre's campus, accessibility, and Participant Resources.

How much of the residency experience can artists with limited mobility participate?

Banff Centre welcomes guests with mobility challenges. We are always trying to improve our ability to serve all guests, artists, and leaders. Our team works with incoming guest to try to meet the needs of each individual in our facilities and services.

Please briefly describe the facilities and areas of the campus that are NOT accessible.

We have wheelchair accessible rooms, studios, dining facilities, and meeting areas. There are paths, roadways, or ramps that provide access to and throughout most buildings. However, the centre, built on the side of a mountain, presents challenges to those with limited mobility. We recommend that you contact us in advance so that we can meet you upon your arrival to facilitate your understanding of the best routes and services available.

Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Housing for Companion And/or Caregivers
Housing available
Case by case consideration
Accessible Communal Spaces
Universally designed
Common/Communal Spaces Information

Our unique campus facilities are spread over 42 acres of land on the west side of Tunnel Mountain and just a few blocks from downtown Banff.

Hotels

Stay with us at newly renovated Lloyd Hall Hotel, situated at the centre of campus and featuring views of the surrounding alpine woodlands.

Dining

Enjoy an elegant dinner at Three Ravens, one of the top-rated restaurants in Banff.

Fitness + Recreation

Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre is a comprehensive fitness facility in town that includes a climbing wall.

Library + Archives

When you need a quiet space, grab a book and enjoy stunning vistas from the on-campus Paul D. Fleck Library & Archives or explore a contemporary art exhibition at Walter Phillips Gallery.

Banff Centre offers all gender washrooms across campus. For a detailed map of locations, click here.

Additional Housing Information
Access to laundry on campus
WIFI available in housing
Housekeeping services
Meals Provided
Some meals (at least 2 meals provided)
Additional Meals Information
Food allergies and restrictions can be accommodated
Computer/Internet Access
Wireless Internet (WIFI)
Studios/Facilities Details

Literary Arts programs have access to a variety of writing studios, program dependent. 

Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Studio Support/Tech
Studio/facility orientation provided