Early Career Banff Artist in Residence 2026

About the Open Call

Early Career Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) 2026 is an immersive program of studio practice, creative exploration, critical feedback, and mentorship for visual artists in the early stages of their careers. Open to artists working in all visual arts mediums, this program is faculty-led while providing space, time, and support towards the development of an agreed-upon studio project. Participants are part of a community of emerging artists committed to developing and expanding their practice and will participate in faculty-led conversations around the contexts for production and presentation of their work. The program invites participants to reflect on how their work is situated within or alongside their artistic peers and predecessors. It emphasizes collective learning, cross-disciplinary exchange, and relational approaches to practice, exploring how artists establish associations with one another across diverse modes of making and thinking. It supports conceptual thought, creative skills, technical skills, critical thought through lectures and study, peer-to-peer engagement, and one-on-one consultations with faculty.

What is Offered

Meal Plan, Accommodation, Studio Space, Showcase Your Work, Group Seminars/Workshops, Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives, Campus Facilities (including fitness center and Box Office Discounts).

Requirements

Early Career refers to artists who are new to their professional practice as well as those just entering, or in the early stages of their career. 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. Applications from applicants close to completing formal training, averaging up to five years of professional practice will be considered. Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date. Domestic and international applications are welcome.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete an online form, pay an application fee ($65 for individuals/groups, $35 for Indigenous applicants), and upload materials via SlideRoom. Required materials include a one-page resume, a 500-word letter of intent, a 500-word project proposal detailing conceptual framework, weekly execution plan, mediums, and technical/support requirements. Applicants must also outline resource requests and provide 10 samples of artistic work in a portfolio. Financial Aid questions must be completed for scholarship eligibility. Collaborative groups (up to two) apply as one, paying a single fee, with an additional $35 registration fee per member upon acceptance. Adjudication is based on quality, originality, artistic merit, skills/experience, potential benefit from the program, and Banff Centre's ability to support the project.