Call for Applications: Banff Artist in Residence Winter 2026

Anahita Akhavan, Banff Artist in Residence Spring 2024. Photo by Rita Taylor.

Now Seeking Applications

Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) – Winter 2026 is designed for visual artists at any stage of their career to focus on their practice in a supportive learning environment.

Over five weeks, participants are encouraged to self-direct their research and time, as well as cultivate new directions in their work. The experience of artists in residence is further supported through individual studio visits with faculty, workshops, and lectures. In addition, participants have the opportunity to build community, create connections, and share their work with other artists-in-residence and the public.

Banff Artist in Residence – Winter 2026
Program Dates: January 12 – February 13, 2026
Application Deadline: June 11, 2025

Participants in this residency will be supported with lectures, workshops, peer dialogue, and feedback from experienced faculty members Jordan Bennett, Andria Hickey, and Amy Malbeuf, who will be available for both group and one-on-one consultations.

Artists are provided with a studio, as well as targeted access to our extensive facilities. This includes access to personal studio spaces equipped for creative work and available 24/7, providing a dedicated environment for artistic expression; and targeted access to shared production facilities and knowledgeable staff who are available to provide technical assistance and support.

This residency is for individual artists and collaborative groups (of no more than two) 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.

This program is designed to cater to visual artists at all stages of their artistic careers, providing them with tailored opportunities for professional development and creative growth, including ceramicists, digital media artists, painters, paper artists, photographer, print-makers, and sculptors.

Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The program suits those focused on working on a specific project and/or creating new works.

Priority will be given to artists who have not attended a Visual Arts residency at Banff Centre in the past three years.

Banff Centre invites applicants and artists of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities, and expressions.

We are pleased to offer scholarships to support participants in our program. Standard scholarships cover 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs. Canadian Indigenous scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees, meals, and accommodation cost.

Please visit the program page for more information and to apply.

About Visual Arts Programs at Banff Centre

Visual Arts at Banff Centre offers exceptional programs for professional artists, curators, art critics, and researchers. Visual Arts also supports, develops, and presents contemporary art through the Walter Phillips Gallery.

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For more information, contact:
Admissions
Email: VisualArtsAdmissions@banffcentre.ca

Phone: 403.762.6100
banffcentre.ca/visual-arts