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Banff Centre's Artists' Fund provides financial support to artists in many of our programs including full scholarships for Canadian Indigenous participants. (See the Fees section on each program page for information about funding available.)
In addition, we have compiled a list of national and international opportunities that may help you fund your experience at Banff Centre.
You may also wish to contact your provincial or municipal arts council for more information on funding opportunities.
Thanks to Banff Centre’s generous donors, financial aid is available for most participants who attend Banff Centre programs. Depending on the program, this funding will cover all or a portion of your program fee, on-campus accommodations and meal plan. There are no cash awards. Please fill out the Financial Aid question when you apply for your program. The financial aid you receive is made possible by Banff Centre’s generous donors. After you are accepted into the program, you will be notified of the donor who supported you and be required to write a thank you letter.
Through the generous support of the Benediktson family, these fellowships are available annually to Banff Centre international participants in any arts discipline, with preference to Icelandic and Mexican artists. (NOTE: The funding for Mexican Atists has been awarded for programming before April 1, 2025). Preference will be giving to artists who hold citizenship and reside within Iceland or Mexico. Applicants must be competent in speaking and reading English (the language of instruction and all official correspondence at Banff Centre). There is no requirement to apply for this scholarship, the system will automatically identify thouse eligible for review. Successful applicants will receive coverage for up to 100% of their program fee, onsite accommodations, and meal plan plus travel assistance. You will be expected to write a thank you letter to the donor at the end of your program.
Through the generous support of Fondation David R. Graham, scholarships are available to artists with French citizenship residing in France or one of the following French territories: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélemy, Clipperton Island, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, French Southern And Antarctic Lands, Mayotte, Réunion, or Saint Pierre And Miquelon. Applicants must be competent in speaking and reading English (the language of instruction and all official correspondence at Banff Centre). Please indicate on your application that you wish to be considered for this Scholarship. Successful applicants will receive coverage for up to 100% of their program fee, onsite accommodations, and meal plan (to a maximum of $4,000) plus a $3,000 travel award. You will be expected to write a thank you letter to the donor at the end of your program.
Through the generous support of the Prentice family and friends, scholarships are available annually to Canadian Indigenous women living in northern or other remote communities who are enrolled in an Indigenous Arts or Indigenous Leadership program at Banff Centre. Successful applicants will receive coverage for up to 100% of their program fee, onsite accommodations, and meal plan plus assistance for travel and other agreed expenses. You will be expected to write a thank you letter to the donor at the end of your program.
Through the generous support of the Crockford family, scholarships are available annually to Canadians enrolled in any arts discipline at Banff Centre. Successful applicants will receive coverage for up to 100% of their program fee, onsite accommodations, and meal plan plus assistance for travel. You will be expected to write a thank you letter to the donor at the end of your program.
Through the generous support of Irene M. Bakker, scholarships are available annually to Dutch artists residing in the The Netherlands who attend Banff Centre's music, opera or dance programs. Applicants must be competent in speaking and reading English (the language of instruction and all official correspondence at Banff Centre). Please indicate on your application that you wish to be considered for this Scholarship. Successful applicants will receive coverage for up to 100% of their program fee, onsite accommodations, and meal plan plus travel assistance. You will be expected to write a thank you letter to the donor at the end of your program.
Banff Centre grants Paul D. Fleck Fellowships to artists whose unique achievements and innovation distinguish them in the arts community. The fellowships recognize the achievement of these gifted artists by providing them the opportunity to create new work using the resources of Banff Centre to develop and refine their projects. The Paul D. Fleck Scholarship Trust was named in honour of this former president of Banff Centre (1982-1992). The fellowships are awarded centrally through Banff Centre's Arts Programming Office and on the recommendation of the department director.
Through the generous support of Raul Urtasun and Frances Harley, scholarships are available annually to artists from Argentina who are enrolled in visual arts, music, audio, dance, theatre production or literary arts programs at Banff Centre. Eligible applicants will be between the ages of 18 and 35 (inclusive); a permanent resident of Argentina or an Argentinean national who considers Argentina to be their permanent place of residence but who is temporarily based elsewhere for their studies or professional development; and competent in speaking and reading English (the language of instruction and all official correspondence at Banff Centre). Preference will be given to applicants who are graduates of the baccalaureate school, Colegio Nacional Jose M Estrada, Quilmes, in the province of Buenos Aires. Please indicate on your application that you wish to be considered for this Scholarship. Successful applicants will receive coverage for up to 100% of their program fee, onsite accommodations, and meal plan plus travel assistance. You will be expected to write a thank you letter to the donor at the end of your program.
Through the generous support of Sir Jack Lyons Charitable Trust, scholarships are available annually to one or more artists from Israel in the disciplines of music, dance, or film. The scholarship provides the opportunity to participate in programming, receive mentorship, and create new work at Banff Centre. Preference will be giving to artists who hold citizenship and reside in Israel. Please indicate on your application that you wish to be considered for this Scholarship. Successful applicants will receive coverage for up to 100% of their program fee, onsite accommodations, and meal plan plus travel assistance. You will be expected to write a thank you letter to the donor at the end of your program.
For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Travel grants at the Canada Council for the Arts are open to professional artists through their respective disciplines. Artists may apply any time before departure date, and should apply as early as possible if they wish to receive results before departure (6-12 weeks in advance, depending on the program).
Many Provincial Arts Councils also offer travel grants, through their core funding programs to artists or through specific travel or tour grants. In cases where no specific travel grants are listed, we recommend calling a program officer at your local arts council to discuss what options exist in your region.
Other resources:
If you require a letter of support from Banff Centre, please contact Admissions@banffcentre.ca with any required details (acceptance letter, dates, fees breakdown, etc.).