Community Services

Figure in a Mountain Landscape residency artists on a hike,
Photo: Silke Otto-Knapp.

Our Mandate

To assist resident artists with non-program related needs; to facilitate access to Banff Centre resources and services; and to respond to the many needs experienced by people living away from home for any length of time.

We assist artists with:

• medical clinics
• counselling services
• health insurance
• activities and events
• help with dietary and other special needs
• equipment loans and rentals
• computer access
• low cost photocopier and fax
• mountain environment/wildlife awareness
• information and referral
• Useful links
• and more!

Medical Clinics

Community Services offers an on-site medical clinic. Please call or visit the Community Service office for more details.

There is no charge for Canadians with valid provincial health care coverage. Participants with international travel insurance will need to pay a small fee that can be claimed back with your StudentGuard medical insurance or your personal travel insurance company.

Counselling Services

In Person: A confidential on-site professional counselling service is provided by The Banff Centre. To book an appointment, e-mail counselling_services@banffcentre.ca or visit the counsellor’s door, Lloyd Hall Rm. 116 to make an appointment. You may also speak with us in the Community Service office for confidential assistance.

By Phone: The Shapell.fgi Participants’ Assistance Program (pdf) provides confidential counselling, health and life information services. The counsellors at Shapell.fgi are available to help you with all kinds of personal and work related problems, pressures, and stresses. Call: 1-800-387-4765 (toll free) day or night.

Health Insurance

Full medical insurance is mandatory as a condition of acceptance at The Banff Centre. Health care in Canada is very expensive! Canadians are covered by their provincial health plan while studying or working temporarily in Alberta and are eligible for Alberta Health Care (AHCIP) coverage after three months. Please visit Alberta Health and Wellness for information regarding the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. Non-Canadians should refer to our Medical Insurance Information for Banff Centre Participants (PDF) for advice on obtaining medical insurance coverage, and are required to complete and return the Confirmation of Medical Insurance Coverage Form prior to the commencement of their program. The Banff Centre's StudentGuard Group Policy provides excellent coverage at a reasonable price, and is available to artists and faculty.

Useful Links

• Banff National Park
• Wildlife
• Trails
• Town of Banff
• Banff Lake Louise Tourism
• Banff Airporter Shuttle Bus (Please view the Arts Programming Participant Handbook for discount details)
• Weather in Banff