Villa Bloch x Cité internationale des arts

With our partner Villa Bloch

Presentation

With a view to supporting artists after their residencies, the Cité internationale des arts partners with organisations that share its objectives and values. As such, in 2019, a partnership agreement was signed between the Cité internationale des arts and the City of Poitiers with the aim of establishing artist residencies in Poitiers.

Under this scheme, two artists, who have previously held residencies at the Cité internationale des arts, will be invited to take up successive residencies at the Villa Bloch each year.

The artist residency is organised for artistic, cultural and educational purposes, aimed at the widest possible audience. Its aim is to create the conditions for a unique experience, fostering an encounter between an artist and the public in a specific region.

The objectives of the residency are as follows:

To provide an artist with the conditions conducive to creative work, by offering accommodation with a writing space within Villa Bloch and/or a potential performance space within a partner organisation for the duration of the residency.
To encourage and facilitate encounters and exchanges between the artist and the public through sessions discussing the creative process, educational workshops and any other form of outreach.

As part of this initiative, two artists who have previously held residencies at the Cité internationale des arts will be invited to take up successive residencies at Villa Bloch from January 4, 2027.

The residency

For a period of either 3 or 6 months, the artist will be provided with accommodation and a workspace at the Villa Bloch site.

The residency will consist of time dedicated to creative work and time devoted to outreach activities (meetings with the public, artistic workshops, etc.). This outreach time will not exceed 30 per cent of the total duration of the residency.

The City of Poitiers will support the artist throughout the residency in the implementation of their artistic project, as well as in the development and organisation of activities aimed at a wide audience. These activities will be consistent with the artist’s project and the capabilities of local stakeholders and partners.

The aim of this programme is to facilitate a broad engagement with the local community (the general public, adults, young people, children, school pupils,

community organisations, elected representatives, etc.)

Throughout the residency, the selected artist will endeavour to engage with and share their ongoing creative process with the local community.

Depending on the artist’s residency project, the City of Poitiers will endeavour to secure the necessary partnerships for its implementation (particularly a workspace).

Current

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Calendar

Forwarding of applications:

From 09 September to 30 October 2026

Announcement of results:

November 2026

Residences:

From 04 January 2027 to 29 February 2028

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

This scheme is based on artists being fully available for either a 3-month residency or a 6-month residency.

It is aimed at artists:

In the performing arts (playwriting, directing, choreography, musical composition, circus, performance art, etc.)
Who are French-speaking and write in French
Who are able to engage with a diverse audience
Who have completed at least one residency at the Cité internationale des arts, or are currently undertaking a residency there.

FAQ

How to Apply?

The application, written in French, must include:

The application form duly completed and signed.
A covering letter setting out your interest in the artist-in-residence programme as outlined in the call for applications, specifying the desired duration of the residency (3 or 6 months) and the exact dates requested.
A statement of intent regarding the research and creative project (dance, theatre and dramaturgy, musical composition) envisaged as part of the residency at Villa Bloch in Poitiers and in engagement with its audiences. Particular attention will be paid to applications proposing projects linked to specific outreach initiatives, as well as to cultural practitioners from the City of Poitiers and the surrounding region.
An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
A portfolio of previous work or a collection of examples, with captions.

The complete application must be submitted by October 30, 2026, at the latest, in electronic format, to the following address: villa.bloch@poitiers.fr

The portfolio of references must be sent as a single PDF file.
Please include your name on these documents.

Incomplete applications, those that do not comply with the guidelines, or those received after the deadline will not be considered.

The results will be announced by early December 2026 at the latest.

Conditions of the residency

Duration of the residency: 3 months or 6 months
Two residency periods are available, regardless of the duration of residency applied for:

Between Monday 4 January and Friday 2 July 2027
Between Monday 30 August and Tuesday 29 February 2028

Workspace and accommodation: provided free of charge at Villa Bloch for the artist alone (without their family)

Monthly grant from the City of Poitiers: €1,250 gross

Return travel costs between Paris and Poitiers: covered by the Cité internationale des arts. International travel costs are not covered under the programme.

A residency agreement setting out the respective commitments of the artist and the City of Poitiers will be drawn up and signed before the start of the residency

Public transport is available near Villa Bloch: a sponsorship scheme provides a bus pass for the duration of the residency.

The City of Poitiers can assist the artist in hiring an electric bike (at a preferential rate).

There is no access for residents with reduced mobility.

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