Independent Studio Residency: Performing Arts & Music 26/27

About the Open Call

This is your time for uninterrupted space to start or advance your project in our dance studios, rehearsal spaces or music studios. Ideal for solo creators or small to medium sized ensembles, it provides the space and freedom to move, make noise, and focus deeply on your work. Open to performance-based practices - dancers, choreographers, theatre-makers, opera artists, musicians, and interdisciplinary collaborators - these residencies welcome you to explore, experiment, and create new work. With access to dance studios or rehearsal spaces, large instruments that cannot travel - along with with limited production support - you’ll have the freedom to shape your work independently, designing your own creative process without structured programming or mentorship, in the solitude of Banff Centre’s inspiring mountain setting. Ideal for bold, self-directed artists and collectives whose projects need space, sound, or movement not possible in the Leighton Artist Studios. Perfect for: Dance: choreography, research; Theatre: playwriting, dramaturgy, development; Opera: composition, research; Music: composition, research; Interdisciplinary: hybrid or genre-defying work. Residencies include smaller, private studios and rehearsal spaces equipped for performance-based practices and will be allocated according to need. Studios features may include: Dance flooring (Marley/sprung or carpet), Small PA system, Tables, chairs, mirror wall or rolling mirrors, Height clearance for lifts/choreography, Pianos and instruments too large for travel, Self-recording equipment. Professional recording may be available in our recording studio or performance spaces, pending availability. This would incur a separate fee. If interested, please indicate as such in your application, your preferred recording date, and a brief outline of the project scope.

What is Offered

Meal plan (credit-based, $68/day value), single bedroom accommodation on Banff Centre campus, smaller private studio and rehearsal spaces equipped for performance-based practices, access to Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives, and campus facilities including Participant Resources, Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre, and Box Office Discounts. Scholarships covering 100% of tuition are awarded to all arts participants. Additional scholarships are available for accommodation and meal plans, with Canadian Indigenous scholarships covering 100% of tuition, meal plan, and accommodation costs.

Requirements

Applicants must be creative professionals and collectives at all career stages who: have a demonstrated record of accomplishment; have a clearly articulated project ready for focused development which fits within the footprint of a Banff Centre performing arts studio or rehearsal space; can work independently without mentorship, production or tech support; bring their own equipment and materials; collaborative groups of up to 6 people can apply. Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date. Banff Centre welcomes applications from both domestic and international applicants. Participants are responsible for obtaining a Visitor Visa to enter Canada, as programs do not meet Canadian Student Visa eligibility.

How to Apply

Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application. Step 1: Complete the Online Form. Step 2: Pay your application fee (login with username and password emailed after Step 1). Step 3: Upload Your Materials (Resume, Project Proposal, Studio Request Form, Portfolio, Residency Dates, Financial Assistance). Resume: A two-page resume describing academic, professional, and other relevant artistic experience. For collaborative submissions, a resume for each member of the group should be uploaded within the Group Leader's application. Project Proposal: Provide a two-page description of your proposed project, including the theme, and relevance to the program. Studio Request Form: Complete the form in SlideRoom, selecting from limited features such as dance flooring, PA system, tables, chairs, mirrors, height clearance, pianos/large instruments, or basic self-recording equipment. Portfolio: Share 5–8 recent examples of work (audio/video up to 10 mins, images, digital links, scripts/plays/written materials up to 25 pages). Non-English submissions must include an English translation sample (max 25 pages). Residency Dates: Select 3 possible dates for your residency within the date windows provided. Financial Assistance: Complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for financial assistance. Group Applications: The lead applicant completes Step 1 (one application form), Step 2 (pays the $65 processing fee on behalf of the group), and Step 3 (one SlideRoom application). An additional $35 registration fee and program fees will be added for each member upon acceptance.