Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) - Summer 2026 is a six-week program for visual artists at all career stages. Participants in this program are encouraged to develop their work in a supportive learning environment. They will be mentored by leading faculty who, working across a range of media and approaches, demonstrate a concern for environmental responsibility and ecological sustainability.
Participants will engage in a range of residency activities including: faculty lectures, studio visits, artist-led workshops, gallery tours and formal and informal peer dialogue. Participants will have the opportunity to share their work with the public during Open Studios.
A defining feature of BAiR programs is the opportunity to create connections and expand one's peer community. This program is designed for participation over the entire six week program period. Variable dates will not be considered.
Visual Arts residencies at Banff Centre are structured programs of faculty-led activity and mentorship, supporting project-based studio practice.
This program encourages:
- the development of conceptual thought through faculty talks and studio visits
- the development of technical skills through studio-based experimentation and learning
- discussion-based programs and workshops to support professional development
- cross-cultural engagement with international faculty and participants
- peer-to-peer engagement to foster a professional community.
Studio-based work is further supported by faculty studio visits, lectures, and workshops, fostering a valuable community of learning. Artists are assigned individual studios with access to shared production facilities. Knowledgeable staff are available to provide technical assistance.
Please take note of the program itinerary when planning your project proposal.
Facility access is based on availability of facilitators and priority goes to those requesting access in their initial applications.
Financial aid is available.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
This residency is for individual artists or duos (of no more than two collaborators) who have:
- completed formal training in visual arts at the post-secondary level, or
- equivalent experience and recognition from their peers acquired through traditional knowledge and practices.
Artists working in, but not limited to, practices in
- ceramics
- digital media, video, and photography
- painting, drawing, printmaking and papermaking
- sculpture and installation
- performance art
are invited to apply.
Priority will be given to artists who have not attended a Visual Arts residency at Banff Centre in the past three years.
Please note that children are not permitted in visual arts studios or production areas.
This program is designed for participation over the entire program period. Variable dates will not be considered.
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Domestic and international applications are welcome.
Total Fee (Tuition, Accommodation and Meal Plan):
$11 460.00
Tuition amount covered by 100% scholarship, made possible through endowments and donations
$4 410.00
Maximum cost per person of accommodation and meal plan (including GST) before any additional scholarship is applied (see scholarships section below)
$7 049.95
We are pleased to offer scholarships to support participants in our program. Below are details regarding the scholarship amounts and information on how to apply.
- Scholarship covering 100% of tuition cost is awarded to all arts participants, made possible through endowments and donations.
- To apply for additional scholarship towards accommodation and a meal plan, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials. With additional scholarship applied, participants should still expect to pay a minimum of 50% towards their accommodation and a meal plan (refer to amount listed above).
- Canadian Indigenous scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, a meal plan, and accommodation costs.