The biennial Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award, at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, is open to any emerging Canadian dance choreographer or company demonstrating exceptional talent. We are seeking new voices, ideas, and approaches to professional dance that can be supported through the award.

The successful artist or company will be awarded with a cash prize, and offered one creation residency and one production residency at Banff Centre, subject to schedules aligning for the work in question. Beyond this support, the nominee must demonstrate an ability to realize the new work through future presentations. Banff Centre will champion the recipient(s) in their vision and realization of the work.

The Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award is a combination of a $14,000 CAD cash prize for the commission of a new work and the support of two residencies at Banff Centre. The cash award will be paid in two equal installments, to support any aspect of the work that the choreographer sees fit over this two-year period (e.g., fees, set construction, travel for company members to-from Banff, etc.). 

The residencies take place over a two-year period with an initial residency in studio of up to two weeks; December 5 to 16, 2022 during Banff Centre’s Dance Artist in Residence program. The second, a production-focused residency in a suitable venue on the Banff campus, will be offered the following year, subject to the project’s timeline aligning with activities at Banff Centre.

The Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award is a combination of a $14,000 CAD cash prize for the commission of a new work and the support of two residencies at Banff Centre. 

Applications will be accepted from emerging Canadian (citizen or permanent resident) choreographers that are currently working with, or have access to, a company of dancers that can be utilized in the creation and production of the work. If the applicant does not have access to a company of dancers, Banff Centre can facilitate an arrangement for a suitable, professional company of dancers to support the project on site. Nominations may be made by colleagues of the nominee with their approval. Any style of dance, approached with a contemporary point of view, is welcomed.

Application Deadline: August 17, 2022 | Apply Now

Address: 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Banff, AB, Canada

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