The Banff Centre
The Banff Centre has grown to be
one of the most respected educational facilities for the arts in all of
North America. It was founded in the 1930s in response to a growing number
of local and amateur theatre communities across the province. A slump in
the economy had caused many touring theatre companies, so popular in the
previous decade, to go under, prompting local groups to take their
place. Ned Corbett, head of the University of Alberta's Department of
Extension saw the situation as dire, and felt that a facility was needed
to train local actors. Having received a $30,000 grant from the Carnegie
organization, Corbett established a traveling arts development program in
1932, hiring Elizabeth Sterling Haynes to teach. In the first year, 190
students enrolled paying $1 each.
The program grew in popularity with each year, and
within 10 years, the school had expanded into other areas besides
theatre. Founders of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet proposed the addition of
dance classes to the curriculum and in 1947, their offer was accepted. 10
students were enrolled in the first year, rehearsing in the basement of
one of Banff's public schools.
The Centre was one of the only places in Alberta to
offer French instruction in 1941, followed by the addition of other
languages to the curriculum such as Russian and Spanish in 1961, and German
in 1963. Due to cutbacks however, all language programs were cancelled in
1977.
The
opera program began in 1949 with the hiring of
Royal Conservatory of Music singing instructor Ernesto Vinci. This attracted 28
students in its first year, culminating in the Centre's first operatic
production, performed three years later. The tradition of fine music
continues at the Banff Centre with a number of programs now being offered,
including music theatre,
which was introduced in 1981.
Besides the performing arts, the Centre offers a number
of courses for artists of all disciplines. Programs in new media arts,
ceramics and literary arts are held. Writers are able to attend a six-week course that offers support and instruction for
published and professional authors.
While the first structure was built in 1947, the
official Banff Centre campus is now home to dozens of
arts related programs that attract students from around the world. The
facility includes classrooms, rehearsal areas, living space and an art
gallery. Many of the buildings are unique to the Center and reflect it's
own creative atmosphere. While artists are able to rehearse in
conventional areas, they also have a chance to use the Elsie K, a fishing
boat turned studio, suspended amongst the trees in Banff National Park.
The Centre hosts a number of festivals each year
including the Banff Mountain Film Festival and the Banff Summer Arts
Festival where all manners of expression are showcased in an event that is
growing to international stature.
The Banff Centre hosts
programs and special events throughout the year and is a certified public
post-secondary institution. Its operations are funded by grants from
Alberta's Ministry of Learning and the federal departments of Canadian
Heritage and Human Resources Development.
The Banff Centre also offers extensive programming in
leadership dvelopment and mountain culture, and hosts a world-class
conference facility.
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