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Program faculty Bishakh Som, Matt Madden, and Tom Hart
Application Deadline: May 21, 2025
Program Dates: October 06 – October 17, 2025
Comics and Graphic Novels is a self-directed residency that considers how creatives use this unique media as a place for personal narrative, memoir, and exploration. The residency provides writers with the time and space to delve deep into their creative project away from the constraints of everyday life, take advantage of an artistic community of peers, and consult with experienced faculty.
Residency faculty and guests specializing in comics, illustration, publishing, and writing include Matt Madden, Bishakh Som, Tom Hart, and professional guest Michel Vrana (Black Eye Books). Participants can take part in individual mentoring sessions with faculty as well as group sessions to discuss their work and project.
This two-week residency has a flexible format that allows participants to choose the amount of programming and support they are looking for.
Optional elements include:
All participants will have individual accommodation and a small private studio where they can focus, reconnect, and re-energize their writing practice.
The program is designed to cater to experienced writers, graphic novelists/cartoonists, writer/illustrators, or writer and illustrator pairings looking to explore the future of visual and literary techniques and focus on works in progress.
Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The program suits those focused on:
While this program is run in English, it will accept projects that are being written in English, French, Bengali and Spanish. English is the language of Banff Centre correspondence.
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Domestic and international applications are welcome.
Visa Eligibility Information:
We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Artists from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.
All dates are subject to change. One-on-one sessions with mentors will be booked during program dates.
Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plans allow you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay. Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests.
The Regular meal plan is equivalent to $73 credit per day, equivalent to three meals at our Buffet service.
Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Create in the privacy of one of our specialized studios.
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress.
Group seminars and workshops with faculty.
The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty
$65 for individuals, $35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous.
The application fee is non-refundable. 100% of this fee goes towards the cost of administering the application in SlideRoom.
We are pleased to offer scholarships to support participants in our program. Below are details regarding the scholarship amount and how they are applied.
To receive the standard scholarship, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre by viewing our compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
Information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Please login with the username and password emailed to you on completion of step 1.
A one to two-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
A one-page cover letter explaining why you are interested in this program and what you hope to achieve by attending it.
A one-page description of your proposed work-in-progress. This summary may be used as a narrative for administrative and public use.
Please provide an excerpt from the work-in-progress that you intend to work on during the program (5-6 pages of comic/graphic novel).
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for financial assistance.
Participants are chosen by an adjudication panel comprising of internal and external assessors. The selection criteria include:
Our programs are highly competitive with a limited number of places available. Applicants will be notified of their selection status as soon as the adjudication process is complete. Due to the high volume of applications individual feedback will not be provided.
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions: