NMC Artist Mini-Residencies will offer 10 Alberta-based musicians a short but powerful burst of creative time at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre.
Inspired by NMC’s Artist in Residence program, these condensed sessions give artists a focused opportunity to develop and record their music using NMC's one-of-a-kind living collection of instruments and music technology.
Designed to support artistic growth and creative exploration, this program provides selected artists with dedicated studio time, access to professional engineering support, and the opportunity to create high-quality recordings in a world-class facility.
Applications are open now. The deadline to apply is May 10, 2026.
What’s Included
- Two-day residency (2 x 8-hour recording sessions)
- Dedicated NMC audio engineer for support throughout the session
- Artists are welcome to bring their own producer or engineer at their own cost
- Access to NMC’s recording studios at Studio Bell
- Optional use of instruments from NMC’s renowned Living Collection
- Participation in a short-form video feature for social media
Program Details
- Number of residencies: 10
- Residency period: Two days per artist from July 2026 to June 2027
- Schedule: Approximately one artist residency per month (no residencies in December 2026)
- Location: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre (Calgary, AB)
- Travel support: Not provided
Eligibility
Applicants must have been residents of Alberta for at least one year prior to applying. Artists of all genres and career stages are encouraged to apply.
Selection Process
Applications are reviewed by an internal adjudication committee. Selections are based on:
- Quality of music
- Artistic potential and project outcome
- Feasibility of completing the project within the residency timeframe
The National Music Centre is committed to supporting a diverse cohort of artists and aims to ensure representation across musical genres, career stages, cultural and gender identities, and geographic regions throughout Alberta.
Important Dates
- Applications Open: April 15, 2026
- Application Deadline: May 10, 2026 (11:59 pm MT)
About NMC Artist in Residence
National Music Centre’s self-directed Artist in Residence programs are designed to nurture artistry and innovation by providing musicians with the tools, time and space, and the use of our one-of-a-kind collection and expertise to create new works in a world-class facility. Over the past 10 years, the National Music Centre has welcomed many exceptional artists to play, experiment, and record with its collection. Past alumni of NMC’s artist residency program include singer-songwriter Shawnee Kish, indie alt-pop musician Rich Aucoin, R&B/hip-hop artist Jhyve, lo-fi soul duo Sargeant X Comrade, flutist and composer Jiajia Li, pop-rockers MAJOR LOVE, R&B/soul singer Tanika Charles, psych-rock trio nêhiyawak, classically-trained vocalist and composer Jeremy Dutcher, DJ-producer duo A Tribe Called Red, neo-classical pianist Jean-Michel Blais, guitar slinger Luke Doucet, singer-songwriter Basia Bulat, virtuosic scratch DJ and music producer Kid Koala, and many others.