Institut français x Cité internationale des arts

Presentation

The Cité internationale des arts and the Institut français are launching the 2027 edition of the Institut français x Cité internationale des arts programme.

This programme is aimed at artists and cultural professionals who have been living abroad for at least five years and who wish to develop a research and creative project in Paris during a three-, six- or nine-month residency between April 2027 and April 2028.

Through this programme, the Institut français and the Cité internationale des arts enable nearly 70 successful applicants from around the world each year to develop a research and creative project, across all artistic disciplines, at the Cité internationale des arts, located in the heart of Paris.

The programme is open to artists and cultural professionals of all ages, from all countries, in the following disciplines:

• Architecture, landscape, urban planning
• Street arts, circus, puppetry
• Plastic arts
• Cinema (animation, fiction, creative documentaries, video art)
• Digital creation (digital arts, video games, VR)
• Art criticism and curating
• Dance, performance art
• Design, graphic design
• Gastronomy
• Literature (fiction, non-fiction, children’s literature, comics)
• Arts and crafts
• Fashion
• Music (classical & contemporary music, contemporary music & jazz)
• Photography
• Theatre

Current

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Calendar

Forwarding of applications:

From 02 July to 08 October 2026

Announcement of results:

January 2027

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Applicants must :

Be supported by one or more partner organisations;
Have been permanently residing outside France for at least five years;
Be engaged in a recognised professional artistic or cultural practice;
Be fully available for the entire duration of the residency and free from professional obligations during that period;
Demonstrate autonomy and have professional proficiency in French and/or English.

Partners

Applications submitted directly by artists are not eligible.

Applications must be submitted by a partner organisation, which is responsible for filing the application and guaranteeing both financial and professional support for the applicant.

Organisations that can act as partner organisations:

The French cultural network abroad: French Institutes, French Alliances and Cultural Departments of French Embassies;
Cultural and artistic organisations based in France or abroad, including art centres, associations, galleries, museums, artists’ studios, theatres, concert venues, production companies, record labels, research institutes, libraries, publishing houses, etc.

Priority is given to projects involving at least one cultural or artistic organisation based in the Paris Region (Île-de-France). Such partnerships enable close mentoring and support for residents (guidance, visits, professional networking opportunities and meetings), coordinated with the French Institute.

Financial conditions

The Institut français covers the monthly costs associated with the live-in studios.

The partner organisation commits to financing:

A residency grant of at least €1100 per month, paid directly to the resident;
The resident’s international travel costs;
The resident’s insurance coverage (health, repatriation and civil liability);
Visa fees, when applicable.

Additional services are payable by the artists, who must settle them directly with the Cité internationale des arts. The list and rates are available in the ‘FAQ’ document (downloads section).

Residency conditions

The laureates will be welcomed into the live-in studios located on the site of the Cité internationale des arts in Marais. 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 room, a kitchen, a bathroom and a sleeping area. A live-in studios can accommodate up to two adults and one child up to the age of 10. Additional fees are charged for accompanying persons.

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

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

Information webinar

An information webinar in French will be held on July 10, at 2.30 pm (CET) to present the programme and its selection process.
A Q&A session will provide an opportunity for partners and applicants to exchange with the team and clear any doubts.

To join, use this connection link.

FAQ

Apply →