Banff Centre

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Motto	Inspiring Creativity
Type	Arts, cultural, and educational institution and conference complex
Established	1933
Academic affiliation	University of Calgary
President	Janice Price
Location	Banff, Alberta, Canada
Campus	Tunnel Mountain in Banff National Park
Website	banffcentre.ca

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, formerly known as The Banff Centre (and previously The Banff Centre for Continuing Education), located in Banff, Alberta, was established in 1933 as the Banff School of Drama. It was granted full autonomy as a non-degree granting post-secondary educational institution in 1978. It offers arts programs in the performing and fine arts, as well as leadership training. Banff Centre is a member of the Alberta Rural Development Network.

On June 23, 2016, Banff Centre announced a new name and released a new brand identity and strategic plan. It is now called Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and its new mission is "to inspire artists and leaders to make their unique contribution to society."

The Centre was founded in 1933 by the University of Alberta, with a grant from the U.S.-based Carnegie Foundation. Initially only drama courses were offered. In 1935 the Centre became known as The Banff School of Fine Arts. As arts programming continued to succeed and develop, conferences were introduced in 1953 and management programs in 1954. The facility was renamed The Banff Centre for Continuing Education (The Banff Centre for short) in 1970. The Centre was granted full autonomy as a non-degree granting educational institution under the governance of a board of directors by the Province of Alberta in 1978.

The Centre is now affiliated with the University of Calgary, which became its trustee and a significant student feeder in 1966.

In the mid-1990s, in response to a cut in its provincial operating grant, the Centre launched a capital campaign (The Creative Edge). Proceeds were used to develop conference and arts facilities, which opened in 1996. The Centre was designated as a National Training Institute by the federal government in 1999, and became home the Banff International Research Station in 2003. The Centre's name was officially changed to "The Banff Centre" in 2008, and to the "Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity" in 2016.