Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award Production Residency 2025
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Deadline: May 21, 2025
We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as Minhrpa (translated in Stoney Nakoda as the waterfalls) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Wesley First Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockeyview, District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.
Overview
The Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award recognizes outstanding emerging Canadian dance choreographers or companies, celebrating new voices, ideas, and approaches to professional dance. Established in 1978 by the Clifford E. Lee Foundation, the award supports the creation and development of innovative choreographic work.
Applicants must submit a proposal for a full-length piece that explores a contemporary approach to dance in any style, designed for an ensemble of up to five dancers. The selected recipient will receive a cash prize, along with a creation residency in December 2025 and a production residency, subject to scheduling.
Description
The Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award is a combination of a $14,000 CAD cash prize for the commission of a new work and two residencies at Banff Centre. Banff Centre can support a company with up to five Canadian dancers, and a small team, including Choreographer, rehearsal director, stage manager, and designers. Both residencies include meals and accommodation for all company members at the Banff Centre.
First Residency (December 8 – 18, 2025):
- Focus on research and development
- Provides studio space without technical support
Second Residency (Dates TBD):
- Focus on production development
- Scheduled based on project timeline and Banff Centre availability
- Takes place in a venue space that is suitable for the project
- Includes three technicians (lighting, sound, and staging) for two weeks
- Concludes with a public performance
Requirements
Open to emerging Canadian choreographers (citizens or permanent residents) who have had only one or less mainstage presentations of a full-length dance work. Open to any style of contemporary dance.
Applicants should have access to a company of up to five dancers for the creation and production of the work. If an applicant does not have access to a company, Banff Centre can facilitate arrangements with a suitable professional company on site.
Residencies take place over a two-year period:
- Residency 1 (in studio) – Dec 8 – 18, 2025
- Residency 2 (production and performance) TBD
Application Deadline May 21, 2025
To learn more and apply visit: banffcentre.ca.
