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Ecologies of Precarious Abundance: Queer Life and Natures
Program Information
Tejal Shah, detail of film still from "Between the Waves", 5-channel video installation, 2012. Courtesy of the artist, Barbara Gross Galerie, Munich and Project 88, India.
Overview
As climate change, biodiversity loss, and widespread pollution drastically reconfigure the environments we live in, things are not only getting worse, they are also getting weirder. Looking to novel organisms, chemical contaminants, and strange bedfellows, we will draw inspiration from queer theory to re-examine ecological relations; breaking down some of the received understandings of the supposed ‘naturalness’ of heteronormativity, while also considering how the field of queer ecologies upholds queer ways of life as strategies for survival and thriving.
Led by Heather Davis with guest faculty Ama Josephine B. Johnstone and Tejal Shah, Ecologies of Precarious Abundance invites us to look again at our toxic worlds, asking what affordances or possibilities may be found. Intended for visual artists who work at the intersection of queer life and ecology, the residency will provide a lens to re-think how we might wish to understand relations with each other and with the other-than-human world.
What does the program offer?
Through peer interaction, discussion groups, studio work, formal lectures, and studio visits from world-renowned visiting faculty, artists and curators, participants gain new ideas and insights that can be applied to creative exploration and professional development of their work. Participants are provided with a studio, accessible 24 hours a day, as well as access to our extensive facilities.
What length of residency is available?
This program is designed for participation over the entire period. Variable dates will not be considered.
Who should apply?
This residency is for visual artists who work at the intersection of queer life and ecology with an exhibition/publication record and who have completed formal training in visual arts at the post-secondary level, or who have equivalent experience and recognition from their peers. Collaborative groups of no more that two are welcome to apply.
For full details on vaccination requirements, masking, safety protocols, and COVID related policies please visit: www.banffcentre.ca/covid-19-measures
Faculty
What's Included
Create in one of our studios and utilize the shared specialized production facilities in printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, photography, digital media, and more (subject to additional fees). Collaborative groups share studio space.
This program offers opportunities to showcase your work-in-progress in an open studios event in Glyde Hall.
A series of outstanding guest artists and curators will give free public talks and hold informal discussions.
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.
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 Full Flex meal plan is equivalent to $58 credit per day, equivalent to breakfast, lunch and dinner at our Buffet service.
Enjoy special artist rates for ticketed performances or complimentary access to events.
Your program fee includes free access to the climbing gym, and fitness suite as well as discounted rates for classes at the Sally Borden Fitness and Recreation Centre.
Enrich your experience and get to know other artists on campus by taking advantage of the activities and support provided by our Participant Resources team.
Limited access to the Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives.
Although the doors remain temporarily closed, you can still access a wide range of books, periodicals, recordings and scores through our digital databases available on the digital resources page, and physical items through our curbside pick-up service.
Fees & Financial Assistance
Application fee: $65 ($35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous).
Individual group members must pay an additional registration fee of $35 on acceptance.
Financial Aid of 100% is available to cover tuition, and 50% is available to offset food and accommodation costs.
Application fees are not refundable.
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
Help fund your experience at Banff Centre. View a compiled list of national and international opportunities here.
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.
Collectives: a group leader must complete a single application and upload supporting materials on behalf of the whole group. Visual support materials should be provided for the collective; individual resumes and bios should be provided for each member.
Detailed Project Proposal and Timeline
In 500 words, describe the framework of your proposed project in relation to the residency, 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.
Adjudication
Participants are selected by impartial adjudicators on the basis of their submitted material. In addition to artistic merit, consideration will be given to the likelihood that the artist's work will benefit from the program.
Please note, application fees are non-refundable and go towards supporting the review of each program application and the adjudication process. All submitted applications are reviewed by a panel of adjudicators, and due to the competitive nature of Banff Centre’s programs, we do not provide feedback on applications or guarantee acceptances into programs. All applicants will be notified of their application status via email following adjudication.
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:
