Literary Journalism 2025

Dates

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025

Program Dates: May 12 - May 23, 2025

Overview  

This two-week residency encourages the exploration of new ideas in literary journalism (creative non-fiction) and experimentation in writing. Designed to challenge and stimulate, the program aims to inspire creative pieces of non-fiction and to assist the writers in their completion. 

A preeminent space for long-form journalism, this residency emphasizes the strengths of thorough and articulate reporting, distinctive storytelling, and literary devices. 

Work created in this program has been published in many outlets including The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, and The Atlantic, and pieces have gone on to win National Magazine and National Newspaper Awards.

Description

Writers will have time to:

  • work on their manuscripts in their individual studios.
  • consult with faculty members Kyo Maclear, Taras Grescoe, Sarah Berman, and Amanda Crocker (Between the Lines Press).
  • participate in group discussions. 

Faculty will provide mentorship and one-on-one workshops to discuss:

  • story ideas. 
  • craft concepts such as voice and structure. 
  • challenges writers may be encountering with their literary journalism.

Requirements

Literary Journalism is designed for writers seeking a professional development opportunity in a community of peers with the guidance of an experienced writer/editor, as each participant prepares a long form piece.

Applicants should be experienced professionals, active in the diversified fields of writing, including print or electronic media. This program is open to fiction and non-fiction writers, journalists, freelance critics or curators, artists, and academics, with an emphasis on those who can write for a lay audience with logic, vigour, and charm—and those who have a portfolio to prove it.

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.

For more program information and to apply.

Learn more about Banff Centre Literary Arts programs here.

Deadline
Residency Length
12 days - 12 months
Languages
English
Average Number of Artists in Residence at a Time
19
Collaborative Residency
Must apply and be accepted individually
Discipline
Journalism
Literary Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Writing
Companions
Pets are not allowed
Country of Residence
Open to artists based anywhere in the world
Family Friendly
N/A
Stage of Career
Established
Additional Expectations/Opportunities
Participate in public programming
Accessible Housing
ADA Compliant
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Meals Provided
All meals
Studios/Special Equipment
Private Studios
Studios/Facilities Accessibility
Partially Accessible (50% or more)
Type of Housing
Private bedroom in a shared housing facility on campus
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
3616
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Fee Details

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.

Grant/Scholarship/other Funding Support
2469
Canadian Dollar (CAD)
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