Leighton Artist Studio Residency: Solo 2027-28 Self-Directed Residencies for individual artists in the Leighton Studios

Overview

A Leighton Studio Residency offers creative professionals two to six weeks of focused, self-directed time in one of the Leighton Studios designed for solo practices. These private, purpose-built studios are set in the forested surroundings of Banff Centre. This competitive program supports research, creation, exploration, and project development, with the flexibility to work in solitude.

Eligible Disciplines

• Criticism
• Drawing
• Fiction
• Illustration
• Literature
• Playwriting
• Screenwriting
• Writing
• Music and composition
• Visual art, design, animation, and film

Studio Options

Leighton Studios are private workspaces designed to support a range of creative disciplines. Writers and curators may prefer the Hemingway, Henriquez, or Evamy studios—quiet, contemplative spaces for literary or research-based projects. Musicians, composers, and songwriters may select the Valentine, Davidson, or Cardinal studios, which accommodate solo composition or sound-based work. Visual artists, designers, animators, and filmmakers often choose the Thom or Gerin-Lajoie studios, which provide more space for physical creation and experimentation.

Eligibility

• Open to established artists based anywhere in the world
• Solo practices; may apply as a team
• No pets allowed

Residency Length & Housing

• 2 weeks to 6 weeks
• Private housing on campus (individual apartment/cabin/house)
• Partially accessible (50% or more)
• Some meals provided (at least 2 meals); access to shared kitchen

Fees

• Application fee: $65 CAD
• Program fee per week: $1,729.35 CAD
• Banff Centre Arts Scholarship: $727.97 per week
• Participant cost per week after scholarship: $1,001.39 CAD
• Longer residencies calculated upon acceptance

Funding & Support

Program participants receive a Banff Centre Arts Scholarship that covers tuition plus a contribution towards accommodation and meals. Canadian Indigenous Arts applicants receive a scholarship covering full cost of tuition, accommodation, and meals. Travel stipend and material stipends available.

Key Dates

• Submission deadline: October 14, 2026

How to Apply

Visit http://url.banffcentre.ca/bh0NlZ to submit your application. Complete the Financial Aid section when uploading supporting materials to be eligible for Banff Centre scholarships.