Elles & Cité

At the initiative and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Cité internationale des arts, an artistic residency centre for artists of all generations, nationalities and practices located in the heart of Paris, is launching a programme of research and creative residencies dedicated to women photographers in mid-career, in order to offer them a new professional springboard. The programme is also supported by the Neuflize OBC Foundation and ADAGP.

This residency program is aimed at women photographers from the French scene with a minimum of ten years of professional experience. Candidates must reside outside the Île-de-France region and not be represented by a gallery in Paris. The residencies are offered to six women photographers per year and will last for a period of three months. The laureates receive a living allowance, reimbursement for travel expenses between their home and the residency location, a live-in studio (Marais site) with the possibility of accommodating an adult or a child, and both individual and collective artistic and professional support from the Cité internationale des arts team and mentors (personalities from the photography world chosen specifically based on the laureates’ backgrounds). Additionally, there is occasional networking with representatives of photography and/or visual arts institutions.

While women photographers account for nearly 60% of students at the leading photography schools (ENSP in Arles, Ecole de l’image Les Gobelins, ENS Louis Lumière), their representation in the profession gradually declines as their careers progress. Nevertheless, thanks in particular to the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and a growing awareness among the profession as a whole, women photographers now represent 41% of the total population of photographers (compared to 34% in 2018).
(Source: INSEE, Employment Surveys 2017-2023/DEPS, 2025)

Based on this observation, it is necessary to continue the commitment to women photographers, as this lack of representation, although decreasing, persists and is based on several proven factors. This dropout rate is mainly explained by women’s departure from the professional environment when they become mothers. As the profession requires a great deal of travel in the field, it is often more difficult for women to leave the family sphere and pursue their careers under favourable conditions. In addition, few women photographers have access to production studio facilities. Studies also show that women photographers are less confident in presenting their work or applying for calls for projects, awards, etc.

The Cité internationale des arts is an artists’ residence in the heart of Paris that brings together artists and researchers and enables them to carry out creative or research projects in all disciplines, with no obligation to produce work.

The aim of the ‘Elles & Cité’ residency programme is to facilitate mobility and support research and the expansion of the professional network of mid-career women photographers by offering them specialised support, professional networking opportunities and a three-month residency in Paris, accompanied by financial support.

As part of this programme, six three-month residencies are offered in 2026 in two periods.

— Three residencies from 2 April to 26 June 2026
— Three residencies from 3 September to 27 November 2026

The programme includes:

— Individual and group artistic and professional support provided by the team at the Cité internationale des arts and renowned professionals in the field of photography;
— Targeted networking with partner institutions in the field of photography and visual arts;
— The writing of a critical text on the work of each winner by a professional in the field of photography;
— The provision of a live-in studio at the Cité internationale des arts (Marais site), with the possibility of accommodating one adult and one child up to the age of 10;
— A living allowance of €2,000 net of tax per month;
— Transfer of copyright for €800 gross including VAT;
— Research and production assistance of €1,500 including VAT;
— Reimbursement of return travel expenses between the artist’s home and Paris.