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Program Information
Suzanne Zelazo (left) photo courtesy the Artist, Sharanpal Ruprai (right) photo by David Kenney.
Overview
This two-week writing program supports new writers in poetry at varying levels of accomplishment, from not-yet-published writers to those with one published book. In this workshop-based residency, you will work closely with our faculty, Suzanne Zelazo and Sharanpal Ruprai to expand your practice and focus on improving writing skills.
The Emerging Writers Residency is an energizing, transformative experience, designed to help you take your writing to a new level. This residency is a perfect entry point into Banff Centre’s full suite of Literary Arts programs, offering new writers the opportunity to work on a portion of a manuscript in a workshop setting directly with faculty. The program will help you build your critical vocabulary, making you better critics of your own and others’ work. You will also learn more about the craft of writing, and about the conventions and possibilities for innovation in poetry.
What does the program offer?
This two-week residency provides thematic teaching from faculty members and professional guests, Q&A sessions, public readings, and one-on-one workshopping. Mentors will discuss ideas, experiences, and obstacles that you may be encountering with your writing from across poetic genres.
In addition to a single room, and a small private studio, you will be surrounded by a community of artistic peers. The flexible program format allows you to choose the amount of support you are looking for. All program elements are optional.
Who should apply?
Any new writer of poetry interested in structured feedback from faculty and fellow participants will benefit from this program. The program is open to writers with no publications, a few publications, or even a first book.
Note: While the language of Banff Centre is English, we also welcome projects in Punjabi for this residency.
Writers of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities, and expressions are encouraged to apply.
Faculty
Suzanne Zelazo
Suzanne Zelazo is a writer, editor, and educator. A former pro triathlete, Suzanne's various artistic projects seek to integrate creative expression and the body. She is a Chalmer’s Art Fellowship recipient and the author of the poetry collections Lances all Alike and Parlance (Coach House), as well as the editor and co-editor of a number of collections on and by female artists including Incarnations: The Photography of Janieta Eyre (Coach House), Body Sweats: The Uncensored Writings of Baroness Elsa von Freytag-Loringhoven (MIT Press) and Florine Stettheimer: New Directions in Multimodal Modernism (Book*hug). Suzanne’s short film and kinetic poem “Satin Semaphore” was featured in the dance: made in Canada film festival in 2020. She wrote and produced the radio documentary “Flow” for CBC Ideas. Suzanne currently teaches in the Creative Writing Program at York University.
Faculty
Sharanpal Ruprai
Dr. Sharanpal Ruprai (she/her) is an Associate Professor and is the Chair of the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Winnipeg. Dr. Ruprai is an internationally recognized writer, her début poetry collection, Seva was shortlisted for the Stephan G. Stephansson Award for Poetry by the Alberta Literary Awards in 2015. Her second collection, Pressure Cooker Love Bomb, was shortlisted for the prestigious 2020 Annual Lambda Literary Awards, the Robert Kroetsch award for poetry, the Lansdowne Prize for Poetry and was the Goldie Finalist for Poetry. She served as the poetry editor for Contemporary Verse 2: The Canadian Journal of Poetry and Critical Writing (CV2). Dr. Ruprai was the 2019-2020 Canadian Writer-in-residence at the University of Calgary.
Faculty
Naomi K. Lewis
Naomi K. Lewis is a writer and editor based in Calgary. She is an editor and acquisitions coordinator at Freehand Books and works on contract for other presses and university departments, editing books and articles. She was formerly an associate editor at Alberta Views magazine. She is the author of a novel, Cricket in a Fist, a short story collection, I Know Who You Remind Me Of, and a memoir, Tiny Lights for Travellers, which won and was nominated for several awards, including being shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award for nonfiction. She has served as writer in residence at the Calgary Public Library, the University of New Brunswick, and MacEwan University.
Guest Speaker
What's Included
Single Room
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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.
Full Flex Meal Plan
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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.
The Full Flex meal plan includes $61.95 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service.
Showcase Your Work
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This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress in one of our performance venues.
Gym Membership
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Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym, and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Full Flex Meal Plan
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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 Full Flex meal plan is equivalent to $58 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service.
Writing Studio
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Each participant will be allocated a private writing space on campus.
Box Office Discounts
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Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Participant Resources
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Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives - Current Services
The Library is delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty with the following services:
- Open hours: 9:30 am to 1 pm, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Access to collections, including program relevant books, scores, artists’ books, recordings, periodicals, and object library.
- Library accounts for borrowing materials.
- Digital Library, on campus and remote access.
- Library research assistance, by appointment.
- Archives research, by appointment only.
Please email library@banffcentre.ca or archives@banffcentre.ca for more information or assistance.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 ($35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous)
*Financial Aid of up to 100% of tuition fee and 50% of meal and accommodation fee is available for this program.
Please fill out the financial aid question in Part 3 of the application process to be considered. Application fees are not refundable.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre. View a compiled list of national and international opportunities 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.
How to Apply
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Resume
A one-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, or other relevant creative experience.
Cover Letter
A one-page cover letter explaining why you are interested in this program and what you hope to achieve by attending it.
Project Proposal
A one-page description of your proposed work-in-progress.
Portfolio
Provide an excerpt from the work-in-progress that you will work on during the program (10-15 pages maximum).
Adjudication
Adjudication is based on artistic merit, the potential impact of the program on artists’ practice and careers, project feasibility and the capacity of Banff Centre to help realize the project, and the project’s fit with Banff Centre’s values and strategic directions as described in its strategic plan. Banff Centre respects the need for artists to plan ahead for their visit; applicants will be notified as soon as adjudication is complete.
This program is not open to current faculty members of any other Banff Centre programming, or to any applicants who have completed a Banff Centre Literary Arts residency in the last year.
International Applicants
Banff Centre welcomes domestic and international applicants for this program. Please note, Banff Centre programs do not meet Canadian Student Visa eligibility requirements, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted individuals are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. Current wait times to receive a visa are much longer than normal, so applicants who require a Visitor Visa should check the current expected processing times prior to applying.
Eligibility
Applicants must be ages 18+ at the time of the program start date.
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.
Contact Admissions
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions:
Toll Free Number (Canada + USA)
1.800.565.9989
Phone
403.762.6180
