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.

You will benefit from management of your time in residence, choosing when to focus, collaborate, explore and create.

Leighton Studios are private workspaces designed to support a range of creative disciplines. Each studio offers a distinct environment, allowing applicants to indicate a preferred space that best supports their practice.

Writers and curators may prefer the Hemingway, Henriquez, or Evamy studios—quiet, contemplative spaces designed 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.
Learn more about each studio’s features and find the best fit for your project.

This residency is designed for independent work and does not include production support, technical assistance, or access to specialized facilities. Applicants are responsible for bringing all materials, equipment, and supplies required for their project.

Residencies can be a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of six weeks, with proposed dates starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday and arrival on the Sunday before and departure on the Saturday after.