ANONYMOUS: Thematic residency
My experience at Banff was incredibly valuable, but also fraught. It was worth the time, absolutely. The work I made during my residency was completely unexpected and could not have been made without the facilities and staff at hand.
Because I received outside funding to be there, I can say it was worth the money, but I might not say so if I had used my own funds to cover all my costs. Since I had to travel long distances to get there it was still quite expensive, but for what I spent I believe it was worth it for what I gained. It is unfortunate that residencies at the Banff Centre are so costly and therefore limited to those with means or access to outside funding and resources.
The Banff Centre itself is a beautiful campus with a slightly unsettling, corporate feel. Food is overpriced and extra costs are lurking around every corner. At the same time, residents have unlimited access to almost all facilities on campus. The mountains are spectacular and imposing. I had an inspiring view from my studio window. During my residency I engaged with artists of many other disciplines, from whom I learned immensely through observation and conversation.
I went to the Banff Centre because I was interested in exploring performance within a visual arts context and I was intrigued by the theme of our “thematic” residency. I found the group environment to be quite dogmatic and unfriendly at times, while at other times very open and joyful. Coming to terms with that opposition was an interesting challenge.
