Located in the incredible setting of the Canadian Rocky Mountains, The Banff Centre is a unique 43-acre “village for the arts” in the heart of Banff National Park. Imagine a place where hundreds of artists from around the world, working in every medium from chamber music and opera to installation art, poetry, playwriting, photography, filmmaking, and dance, come to create.
Founded in 1933, it operates year-round and offers intensive programs for artists at every stage of their professional careers. There are approximately 4000-5000 program participants annually, from recent graduates to artists at the forefront of the international scene.
Exceptional artists and leaders from around the world create and perform new works of art, share skills and knowledge in an interdisciplinary environment, and explore ideas and develop solutions in the arts and leadership.
Their programming supports the commissioning and creation of new work by individual artists and arts collectives, and provides resources for collaboration and applied research. They offer training and professional development at the post-graduate level in more than a dozen art forms including Aboriginal arts, music, theatre, dance, opera, literature, ceramics, print-making, painting, papermaking, photography, sculpture, audio engineering, digital film and video, and new media. Work is showcased in public performance, events, and exhibitions throughout the year, culminating in the annual Banff Summer Arts Festival, which on average sees over 25,000 people in attendance.
So what does this mean for YPs? Well, if you are in the arts world you basically have a world-class facility in your backyard. For us YPs who love the arts, but may not necessarily be performers, we have the opportunity to catch over 400 original performances, concerts and exhibitions throughout the year; everything from music, dance, opera, theatre, speakers, films and exhibitions.
Interested in checking out one of the performances? To purchase tickets, click here.
Photo courtesy the Banff Centre