MEP x Collection Gervanne + Matthias Leridon x Cité internationale des arts

With our partner MEP-Maison européenne de la photographie

With our partner Collection Gervanne + Matthias Leridon

Presentation

Created by Gervanne and Matthias Leridon in collaboration with the MEP and the Cité internationale des arts, the MEP – Collection Gervanne + Matthias Leridon Collection – Cité internationale des arts Residency programme is destined for emerging artists and dedicated to African photography.

The purpose of this residency is to support young African artists and to highlight practices that explore new forms of photography. The aim is also to promote artists’ mobility to enable them to share their work and expand their artistic and professional networks.

With this programme the Collection Gervanne + Matthias Leridon and its partners commit themselves to support the laureate’s project by offering him/her special guidance and a three-month residency in the centre of Paris.

The residency

As part of the programme, the laureate will benefit from:

• Dedicated support, meeting and networking opportunities organized by the partners of the residency programme ;

• A live-in studio on the Marais site of the Cité internationale des arts ;

• A living allowance of 900 euros per month, including tax, and coverage of monthly local transport fare ;

• A research-creation grant of 1000 euros, including tax ;

• Coverage of international transport fees to Paris, including travel and repatriation insurance, and visa fees.

A residency report will be requested at the end of the programme.

Closed

Calendar

Forwarding of applications:

From 17 September to 04 October 2026

Announcement of results:

October 2026

Residences:

From 03 November 2026 to 28 January 2027

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

To apply, the photographer must:

• be a national and resident of an African country ;

• be between 25 and 40 years old at the closing of the call (October 1st, 2026) ;

• be able to provide proof of professional artistic activity for at least three years ;

• have already developed one or more creative photographic projects (exhibition, publication, etc) ;

• have a valid passport.

Collective applications (duos, collectives) are eligible and will result in the allocation of one live-in studio, the payment of one monthly stipend, one research-creation grant and a travel allowance.

Various questions

How to Apply?

Applications for the Cité internationale des arts commissions are submitted through the online form.

To apply, a Google account is necessary. If you do not have one, please create one HERE.

The application form must be fully completed and requires:

• a detailed resume (4 pages maximum), in French or English

• a portfolio presenting recent curatorial projects (15 pages maximum), in French or English

• a text presenting the project proposed for the artistic residency (maximum 3 pages)

The selection will be made by a jury of professionals, with the directors of the three partner institutions, and a specialist invited for the program.

The portfolios and residency projects will be judged on the quality of the work, its artistic coherence, and the necessity of its realization in Paris.

Residency Conditions

The laureate will be accommodated in live-in studios located on the Marais site of the Cité internationale des arts. With a surface area ranging from 25 to 40 m², the live-in-studios are designed to combine creative work and daily life. They consist of a workroom, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. A live-in studio can accommodate up to two adults and one child up to 10 years old. Additional fees will be charged for accompanying persons.

Unfortunately, the proposed live-in studios do not meet current accessibility standards for people with disabilities, but efforts are being made to address this for the future.

For any questions regarding the accessibility of spaces at the Cité internationale des arts, please contact us.