Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) - Summer 2026 is a six-week program for visual artists at all career stages. Participants in this program are encouraged to develop their work in a supportive learning environment. They will be mentored by leading faculty who, working across a range of media and approaches, demonstrate a concern for environmental responsibility and ecological sustainability.

Participants will engage in a range of residency activities including: faculty lectures, studio visits, artist-led workshops, gallery tours and formal and informal peer dialogue. Participants will have the opportunity to share their work with the public during Open Studios.

Visual Arts residencies at Banff Centre are structured programs of faculty-led activity and mentorship, supporting project-based studio practice.

This program encourages:

the development of conceptual thought through faculty talks and studio visits
the development of technical skills through studio-based experimentation and learning
discussion-based programs and workshops to support professional development
cross-cultural engagement with international faculty and participants
peer-to-peer engagement to foster a professional community.

Studio-based work is further supported by faculty studio visits, lectures, and workshops, fostering a valuable community of learning. Artists are assigned individual studios with access to shared production facilities. Knowledgeable staff are available to provide technical assistance.