Fondation Bernard Grau x Cité internationale des arts

Programme for Cuban photographers

The Fondation Bernard Grau–Académie des beaux-arts x Cité internationale des arts residency programme is open to photographers of Cuban nationality, aged over 25, whether they live in Cuba or abroad, who are fully available during the programme dates and can demonstrate at least five years of professional artistic activity.

On the occasion of the bicentenary of photography in 2026, a particularly exciting time for the medium, this residency offers an artist the opportunity to freely and thoroughly explore the contemporary potential of the image. The programme will support approaches based on experimentation — whether testing new protocols, manipulating techniques or materials in unexpected ways, or opening up avenues towards new forms and renderings. It is primarily aimed at artistic, conceptual or experimental photographic practices, rather than approaches related to photojournalism. Beyond this time dedicated to research and creation, the residency also offers a space for meetings and networking with professionals who can contribute to the artist’s work or interact in a relevant way with the project being developed. Applications from Cuban artists who have benefited from a residency or grant in France lasting more than four weeks in the last five years will not be eligible.

Programme for Cuban sculptors

The Fondation Bernard Grau–Académie des beaux-arts x Cité internationale des arts residency programme is open to sculptors of Cuban nationality, aged over 25, whether they live in Cuba or abroad, who are fully available during the programme dates and can demonstrate at least 5 years of professional artistic activity.

Applications from Cuban artists who have benefited from a residency or grant in France lasting more than four weeks in the last five years will not be eligible.

The programmes include:

• Travel expenses to Paris
• A studio-apartment on the Marais site of the Cité internationale des arts
• A monthly living allowance of €850 and a production grant of €1,000 from the Fondation Bernard Grau-Académie des beaux-arts, awarded with prior approval and upon presentation of supporting documents
• Artistic and professional support from the Cité internationale des arts team
• Exchanges and meetings with members and correspondents of the Académie des beaux-arts and artists benefiting from the Académie’s other residency programmes.

Group applications (duos, couples, collectives) are eligible and will result in the allocation of a single studio-accommodation, the payment of travel expenses for one person, and the payment of a living allowance and production grant during the residency period.

How to apply?

The application file must include the following documents:

• A copy of your valid passport (page with photo and identity information), in PDF or JPEG format;
• A complete curriculum vitae (in French or English) in PDF format, limited to a maximum of 4 pages;
• A short biography, written in French or English and no longer than half a page, concisely presenting the candidate’s background and artistic approach;
• A portrait in JPEG 300 dpi format;
• A statement of intent of no more than 2 pages written in French, in PDF format, in which candidates explain their motivations and their interest in joining the residency programme. They must justify why their current research necessitates this residency in Paris, with the Académie des beaux-arts and the Cité internationale des arts, from the point of view of writing, career path and professional network;
• An artistic portfolio of between 10 and 15 pages in French or English, including visuals of previous work with captions (titles, dimensions, technique, year), in PDF format;
• Links to online platforms where the work is presented (digital portfolios, online galleries, websites, etc.);
• 10 images in JPEG format with complete captions (titles, dimensions, technique, year).

Applications will be evaluated by a multidisciplinary jury composed of members and correspondents of the Académie des beaux-arts belonging to the section being honoured, representatives of the Cité internationale des arts, and invited external figures. The jury will be chaired by the permanent secretary of the Académie des beaux-arts.

In addition to examining the candidate’s professional background, the jury members will pay particular attention to the artistic quality of the project, the relevance of the argument concerning the added value of the residency in Paris, the proposed work protocol, and any partnerships or contacts already established. Applications from artists who have already benefited from a residency at the Cité internationale des arts will not be given priority.

The laureates will be accommodated in live-in studios located on the site of the Cité internationale des arts in the Marais district. Ranging in size from 25 to 40m², the live-in studios are designed to combine research and creation with everyday life. They consist of a work area, a kitchen, a bathroom and a sleeping area. A live-in studio can accommodate up to two adults and one child up to the age of 10. Additional fees apply for accompanying persons.

Unfortunately, the live-in studios do not currently meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities, but we are working to address this issue for the future.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions regarding the accessibility of the Cité internationale des arts.