Banff Centre’s Application, Student Registration and Payment Systems, including the Student Portal, will be unavailable from 4pm Tuesday Nov. 5th to 12 noon Wednesday Nov. 6th due to planned maintenance. Any questions please contact admissions@banffcentre.ca.
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Maggie Mercredi, Indigenous Storytelling Residency 2018. Image by RitaTaylor
Indigenous Dramaturgies Exchange offers you professional development and space for artistic exchange on a current or upcoming dramaturgy project, with a focus on on-the-land engagement as a way of locating stories.
This program provides reciprocal mentorship and community building. You are encouraged to apply with a mentor or collaborator.
Indigenous dramaturgies; as artistic ceremony, as political resistances, and as community-building, are under studied and under supported. In this program we will discuss and explore your roles in deeper detail, with the support of faculty and with cultural facilitators for on-the-land engagement sessions.
One of the primary intentions behind the Indigenous Dramaturgies Exchange is the offer of reciprocal mentorship and community building. Each duo of participants will have access to a Laszlo Funtec studio or a music room. You will also be provided with limited access to wardrobe, props and set supplies based on availability.
You will have time and space to reflect on the ways we can approach and discuss Indigenous dramaturgical processes. We collectively acknowledge the significance in including a wide range of voices, experience, and perspectives, as well as making space to support emerging theatre and performance artists.
This program includes daily check-ins as a group to share in creative processes and showcase your work in order to look to yourselves, your cultural realities, relationships, and teachings as ways that navigate your artistic practice.
This program is geared towards Indigenous Dramaturgies and Indigenous Theatre Artists interested in or working on land-based arts practices, and/or innovative dramaturgical processes.
This opportunity offers professional development for Indigenous artists to focus on a current or upcoming project, and you are encouraged to apply with a creative partner.
Lindsay Lachance (Algonquin Anishinaabe)
Lindsay Lachance (Algonquin Anishinaabe) has worked as a dramaturg for over a decade and has a PhD from the department of theatre and film at the University of British Columbia. Lindsay’s dramaturgical practice is influenced by her relationship with birch bark biting and the Gatineau River. She is also the director of the Animikiig Creators Unit at Native Earth Performing Arts, which focuses on the development of new Indigenous works.
Deneh’Cho Thompson (he/they) is a director, actor and playwright and displaced and dispossessed member of the Pehdzeh ki Nation. His artistic practice focuses on new plays and new play development. As Assistant Professor at the University of Saskatchewan Deneh’Cho oversees the wîcêhtowin Theatre Program, one of few Indigenous theatre programs at a Canadian university. Deneh’Cho’s research focuses on the development, naming, and centring of Indigenous pedagogies; new play development (in various roles) and Indigenous collaborations– centering the values of reciprocity, respect and reflexivity.
Photo Credit: image provided by Deneh’Cho Thompson
Kenneth T. Williams calls his professional path a “guidance counselor’s nightmare.” He’s been a soldier, bartender, rock musician, and door-to-door encyclopedia salesman.
He took a playwriting class in university and immediately dropped his plans to go to law school. As a journalist, he was a member of the very first news team for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. He also managed to write a few plays. In Care, Café Daughter, Gordon Winter, Thunderstick, Bannock Republic, Street Corner Playwright, Suicide Notes and Three Little Birds have been produced across Canada. Paris SK was streamed live by the Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre. The Herd was recently presented as part of Tarragon Theatre's Acoustic series.
He lives in Edmonton with his partner, Dr. Melissa Stoops, with their cats, Augustus and Drusilla, and is an assistant professor in the Department of Drama at the University of Alberta. He is a member of the George Gordon First Nation in the Treaty 4 territory.
Cowboy Smithx is 1⁄4 of a complex anomaly, existing in the human dimension as a (The Philosopher) civilian curator, writer and community organizer. The remaining 3⁄4’s includes Iikaakskitowa (The Artist), Iinaana (The Witch), and Persey Klaw (The Soothsayer). Cowboy is currently developing several narrative and documentary feature film projects. Cowboy is an advocate for capacity building in the arts and utilization of Blockchain technology.
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.
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 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service
Your program fee includes free access to the climbing gym and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Join in group seminars/workshops.
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.
Create in one of our specialized studios.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives - Current Services
We are delighted to offer the following services for Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty:
Please email library@banffcentre.ca or archives@banffcentre.ca for more information or assistance.
Application fee: $65 ($35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous)
*Financial Aid of up to 100% of tuition fee, meal and accommodation fee is available for this program.
Application Fees are non-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.
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
Up to ten samples of relevant recent artistic work/projects
A one-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
A 500 word description of why you wish to attend this program, what you hope to learn or achieve and what impact it could have on your artistic practice.
A one-page description, including the theme, an outline of materials and facilities required, and indicative timelines.
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for financial assistance.
Additional Information
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.
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.
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:
