Unveiling the Banff Centre-University of Alberta (1933-1969) Archives Collection

Founded in 1933, Banff Centre began as a small summer drama school. It was initially an extension of the University of Alberta, under the guidance of its first director, Donald Cameron. The University of Alberta Collection shows the school’s transformation from a small extension program into an internationally respected arts, business administration, and conference centre. Now available for research, these newly-processed archival materials offer valuable insights into the development and management of one of Canada’s most prestigious arts and educational institutions. They provide a comprehensive record of the school’s growth, including details about its administration, courses, productions, and conferences. The collection is a significant resource for researchers interested in the fine arts and business administration aspects of the Banff School's evolution. 

The Collection

The University of Alberta archival collection is divided into three main sections:

• The Banff School of Fine Arts (BSFA) Records
• The Banff School of Advanced Management (BSAM) Records
• Photographs 

The BSFA and BSAM records include a wide range of materials, such as correspondence, programs, newspaper clippings, photographs, and other related documents. These records span from the start of Banff Centre in 1933 to the mid to late 1960s. The photograph section contains original prints, copy prints, unique prints, negatives, and lantern slides—both plastic and glass. In total, the whole collection spans 132 boxes. 

Photographs

The photographic records are an essential complement to the textual materials within the collection. They capture a variety of moments—including formal staff and student portraits, staged publicity shots, scenes of Banff National Park, and glimpses of art classes or theatre rehearsals in progress. Early photographs of the Banff School’s summer sessions are rare, but from the late 1940s through the 1950s, the school’s growing prominence led to a significant publicity effort. Many of these images, featured in annual school calendars, document the expansion and increasing recognition of the school. One notable part of the photograph collection includes lantern slides from Director Donald Cameron’s 1933 European trip. During his visit to Scandinavian countries, Cameron studied their farming and education practices, which he later sought to incorporate at Banff Centre. This section also contains photographs taken in other countries, including pre-WWII Germany, France, and Belgium.

Archival Processing

Before being transferred to Banff Centre, the collection was already sorted and organized. Upon arrival, further updates to the arrangement, descriptions, and rehousing were carried out as part of the archival processing. All files and photographs were catalogued to make these materials more accessible for future research. 

Digital Objects

Following the collection’s processing, over 1,900 photographs and 150 lantern slides were digitized. Digitizing the photographs not only makes the collection more accessible but also reduces the handling of fragile items. Many of the photographs and slides are quite old, some showing signs of wear and damage. The digitization process helps preserve these materials while limiting further deterioration. Some photographs and slides, however, were not digitized due to their connection to the Department of Extension rather than Banff Centre specifically. These images remain outside the main collection but are still important parts of the larger archival history.

Anyone interested in exploring these archival materials can reach out to us at archives@banffcentre.ca for more information or to book an appointment.