75 years of inspiring creativity

For 75 years, Banff Centre programs have inspired new creative works, transformed careers, and changed lives.

The Banff Centre was born in 1933, in the depths of the Great Depression. Undaunted by the dark times, the Centre’s founders saw the need for a place where creativity could flourish.

Today, The Banff Centre is a globally respected arts, cultural, and educational institution and conference facility. Throughout 2008, the Centre will celebrate its 75th anniversary through creative performances and programs. Works supported by the Centre will illuminate performance stages across Canada in 2008, including the Gryphon Trio’s Constantinople, Alan Nashman’s The Snow Queen, Toronto Dance Theatre’s Timecode Break, David Lavelle’s film White Water, Black Gold, Wen Wei Dance’s Three Six Five, a new work by Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal, and many others.

Here in Banff, we’ll mark our 75th year with new programming initiatives including a partnership with Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre, innovative puppetry and choral workshops, the commissioning of a new Canadian play, the launch of a music program focused on composition, the re-visioning of our dance programs, and a global creativity summit. The 75th anniversary Banff Summer Arts Festival will be bigger and better than ever, with two opera performances, a Music Masters Series, the return of a summer drama performance, and the launch of a 75th retrospective exhibition and book.

For complete 75th anniversary events listing see our events pages.