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Program Information
Thao Nguyen, Visual Arts Thematic Residency, Banff Centre 2024. Photo by Rita Taylor.
Dates
Application Deadline: February 26, 2025
Program Dates: July 22 – August 21, 2025
Overview
Early Career Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) Summer 2025 is an immersive program of studio practice, creative exploration, critical feedback, and mentorship for visual artists and curators in the early stages of their careers.
Open to visual artists and curators working in all visual arts mediums, this program combines the artistic freedom of a self-directed residency with the benefits of technical and faculty support. As well as having the space to create, research, and experiment, participants are part of a community of emerging artists committed to developing and expanding their practice.
Description
Participants in this residency will be supported with:
- lectures.
- workshops.
- feedback from experienced faculty members who will be available for both group and one-on-one consultations.
Artists are provided with a studio, as well as targeted access to our extensive facilities. This includes:
- access to personal studio spaces equipped for creative work, available 24/7, providing a dedicated environment for artistic expression.
- targeted access to shared production facilities and knowledgeable staff who are available to provide technical assistance and support.
Requirements
This residency is for individual artists and collaborative groups (of no more than two) who have
- completed formal training in visual arts at the post-secondary level, or
- equivalent experience and recognition from their peers acquired through traditional knowledge and practices.
The program is designed to cater to visual artists at the early stage of their artistic careers, providing them with tailored opportunities for professional development and creative growth, including:
- ceramicists.
- curators.
- painters.
- paper artists.
- photographers.
- print-makers.
- sculptors.
Participants will benefit most if they are comfortable working autonomously in an unstructured environment. The program suits those focused on:
- working on a specific project.
- creating new works.
Priority will be given to artists who have completed relevant training within five years and who have not previously attended a Visual Arts residency at Banff Centre.
Eligibility
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Domestic and international applications are welcome.
Visa Eligibility Information:
- Please note that Banff Centre programs do not meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian Student Visa.
- If you are accepted into our program, you must obtain a Visitor Visa to enter Canada. Accepted participants are responsible for identifying and complying with the immigration requirements to enter Canada as a visitor from their country of origin. If you require a Visitor Visa please check the current expected processing times well in advance of applying.
Inclusivity Statement
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.
Itinerary
- July 20 - Arrival
- July 21 - Orientation
- July 25, August 5 - Faculty talks
- August 20 - Open Studios
- August 21 - Farewell reception
- August 22 - Departure
All dates are subject to change. One-on-one sessions with faculty mentors will be booked during program dates.
Faculty
Jerry Ropson
Jerry Ropson is an artist, writer, and arts organizer, raised in Pollards Point, a resettled Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) outport community. In acknowledging the settler and indigenous history of his community, he combines image, object, text, and narrative, to focus an artistic practice around site-specific installation and performative storytelling. Ropson is deeply interested in the politics of rural demise, ritualistic practices, and the language of fanaticism. He makes class-conscious work seeking non-traditional sites and outcomes.
Ropson holds a BFA (2001) from Memorial University: Grenfell Campus, and an MFA (2009) in Studio Arts: Fibres and Material Practices, from Concordia University. Ropson was listed for the Sobey Art Award in 2016 and 2018. He has been awarded grants from The Canada Council for the Arts, The New Brunswick Art Board, The Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, and The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. He has participated in artist residencies at The Banff Centre, The Vermont Studio Center, The Atlantic Centre for the Arts, St. Michael’s Printshop, Fogo Island Arts, NSCAD University, and Union House Arts.
Jerry divides his time between communities in rural Ktaqmkuk, and Siknikt-Mi'kma'ki (Tantramar, New Brunswick), where he leads studio courses at Mount Allison University.
Faculty
Tak Pham
Tak Pham is a Vietnamese contemporary art curator and writer. He is currently curator at the Illingworth Kerr Gallery at the Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary, Alberta, Treaty 7 territory. He was formerly associate curator at the Mackenzie Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 territory. Pham holds an M.F.A. in Criticism and Curatorial Practice from OCAD University and a B.A. Hons. from Carleton University.
He has curated exhibitions and organized curatorial projects for the MacKenzie Art Gallery, Contemporary Calgary, Confederation Centre Art Gallery, Varley Art Gallery, Art Gallery of Ontario, and Nuit Blanche Toronto, among others. His writings and reviews have appeared in Canadian Art, C Magazine, ESPACE art actuel, esse arts + opinions, Galleries West, The Brooklyn Rail, ArtAsiaPacific and Hyperallergic. In 2023, Pham was awarded the Hnatyshyn Foundation-Fogo Island Arts Young Curator Residency.
Faculty
What's Included
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 Regular meal plan is equivalent to $53 credit per day, equivalent to two meals at our Buffet service.
Accommodation
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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.
Studio Space
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Create in the privacy of one of our specialized studios.
Showcase Your Work
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This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress.
Group Seminars/Workshops
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Group seminars and workshops with faculty.
Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives
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The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty
Campus Facilities
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- Participant Resources: Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided.
- Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre: Your program fee includes free access to the swimming pool, climbing gym and fitness equipment.
- Box Office Discounts: Enjoy special artist rates or complimentary access for ticketed performances.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application Fee
$65 for individuals or groups, $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.
Scholarships
We are pleased to offer scholarships to support participants in our program. Below are details regarding the scholarship amount and how they are applied.
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Standard scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, and 50% of meals and accommodation costs.
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Canadian Indigenous scholarship: covers 100% of tuition fees, meals, and accommodation costs.
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.
Cancellations
Information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Tax Information
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.
Step 1:
Complete the Online FormStep 2:
Please login with the username and password emailed to you on completion of step 1.
Step 3:
Upload Your MaterialsResume
A one-page resume describing your academic, artistic, professional, and other relevant artistic experience.
Group applications should submit all resumes in one document.
Letter of Intent
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.
Project Proposal
In 500 words, describe the conceptual framework of your proposed project, your weekly execution plan, details of the mediums you propose to use and your level of knowledge in the processes required, and outline any specific technical or support requirements. These summaries will be used as a narrative for administrative and public use.
Resource Requests
Outline all studio, equipment, software, facility, or staff support required for your project. Final resource allocation is at the discretion of the department. This form can be found in the SlideRoom portion of the application.
Portfolio
- Artists: Provide 10 samples of your artistic work.
- Curators and researchers: Submit three samples of relevant and recent written work.
File sizes and specifications are available in our upload tool.
Financial Assistance
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for financial assistance.
Applications from Collaboratives
Collaborative groups of no more than two are welcome to apply. The lead applicant should complete:
- Step 1: One application form
- Step 2: Pay the $65 processing fee on behalf of the group
- Step 3: One SlideRoom application
Please submit only one SlideRoom application per duo.
Note: An additional $35 registration fee will be added for each member upon acceptance to the program.
Adjudication
Participants are chosen by an adjudication panel comprising of internal and external assessors. The selection criteria include:
- Quality, originality and artistic merit.
- Required skills and experience.
- The potential for the applicant's work to benefit from the program.
- Banff Centre’s ability to support the project.
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.
Disclaimer
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