Visual Arts Thematic - On Other Archives
Banff CentreAbout This Opportunity
“Archives - institutional, personal, fictional and/or speculative archives as a method for re-storying social and cultural narratives”
Working with institutional, personal, fictional and/or speculative archives, participants are invited to think critically about the archive as a method or 'technology' for re-storying social and cultural narratives. Themes may include, but are not limited to: familial/ancestral lineages and cultural inheritance, oral histories, micro-histories, absence, amnesia, re-memory.
Participants will be engaged in stimulating discussion and mentorship by leading faculty. Access to Whyte Museum and Banff Centre archives are available by prior arrangement. Please indicate your interest and rationale for access to either of these archives in your project description.
Visual Arts residencies at Banff Centre are structured programs of faculty-led activity and mentorship, supporting project-based studio practice. Participants will be mentored by accomplished faculty through research, experimentation and hands-on learning.
This program supports:
the development of conceptual thought and creative skills through faculty supported research-creation
the development of technical skills through skill-based experimentation
faculty-led discussion workshops to foster critical thought and professional development
cross-cultural engagement with international faculty and participants
peer engagement that fosters a professional community towards supporting and sustaining an artistic career.
Scholarships are available.
Eligibility & Requirements
Geographic Eligibility
Disciplines
Age Requirements
18+ years old
Applicant Type
Individual artists and collectives
Additional Requirements
Project description; indicate interest and rationale for access to Whyte Museum and/or Banff Centre archives if applicable.
Note
Applicants must be 18+ at time of program start. Must have completed formal training in visual arts at post-secondary level, or equivalent experience and recognition from peers acquired through traditional knowledge and practices. Priority given to artists who have not attended a Visual Arts residency at Banff Centre in the past three years. Children not permitted in visual arts studios or production areas. Full program attendance required — variable dates will not be considered. Collaborative groups of no more than two are welcome.
Compensation & Benefits
Overview
Scholarships are available.
What's Provided
Housing Provided
Single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of the program.
Studio Access
Artists are assigned individual studios with access to shared production facilities. Refer to the Visual Arts Facilities Booklet for a detailed list of available equipment.
Equipment Available
Specialized studio equipment listed in the Visual Arts Facilities Booklet. Facility access based on availability of facilitators.
Selection Process
All applications are technically assessed by Banff Centre staff for feasibility. Applicants must demonstrate foundational knowledge of equipment and techniques they intend to use.
Timeline
Deadline
May 6, 2026
Program Dates
November 2, 2026– December 4, 2026
