The artists residencies Art Explora – Cité internationale des arts

The Art Explora foundation, in collaboration with the Cité internationale des arts, welcomes every year about twenty residents, artists and researchers from all over the world. This programme offers the possibility for artists and artist collectives to carry out research and creation work in the heart of Paris, in connection with the French artistic and professional scene.

Two programmes are offered

The " programme " invites applicants to submit a project that explores contemporary issues.

SOLO
programme

For artists only:
—a 3- or 6-month residency

Artists COLLECTIVE
programme

Programme COLLECTIVE: For a collective of artists, or an artist and curator or researcher, a 3-month residency


To date, the Art Explora x Cité internationale des arts “ programme ” has hosted 145 artists from 59 different countries over the course of 12 sessions.

Residency Requirements

Applications are open to artists of all nationalities and ages working in the visual arts, performing arts, and digital arts. Applicants must demonstrate at least five years of professional experience and an international track record of exhibiting their work.​


Selection is based on the quality of the candidate's background and project, with particular attention paid to:​

- The relevance of the project to the research areas (art and science, contemporary social, political, and ecological issues)​

- The project’s place within the French context and its contribution to the artist’s research​

Residents enjoy the following benefits:​

  • A 3- or 6-month residency at the Cité internationale des arts​
  • A furnished studio apartment of approximately 50 m² (bedroom, workspace, kitchen, bathroom)​
  • A monthly living stipend of €1,000​
  • A production grant of 3,000 €​
  • A round-trip to Paris​

Throughout their residency, residents receive personalized support to guide them through both the curatorial aspects and the production of their project. Residents also benefit from connections to a broad professional network within the French and international art scenes. ​



Mentors

A mentoring programme offers residents opportunities for reflection sessions with leading figures in the art world to support them in developing their research projects or navigating the various stages of their professional careers.​

  • Marcella Lista, art historian and chief curator of the Video, Sound, and New Media collection at the National Museum of Modern Art – Centre Pompidou​
  • Sandra Terdjman, Vice President of KADIST, Founding Member of AFIELD​
  • Marc Spiegler, cultural strategy consultant and former director of Art Basel Global"​


The calendar

Applications open:September 21 , 2026
Applications close: October 30, 2026
Announcement of winners: January 2026 for residencies from March through August 2026; June 2026 for residencies from September 2026 through February 2027
Open studios : February 14 & 15, 2026 / June 19, 20, & 21, 2026

The selection committee

Applications are examined by a selection committee made up of leading figures from the world of art and research.
photo of selection committee member
Hans Ulrich Obrist (Switzerland & United Kingdom)

Artistic Director of the Serpentine Galleries in London

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fermer / close
photo of selection committee member
Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung (Cameroon)

Director of the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) in Berlin

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photo of selection committee member
Hoor Al-Qasimi (United Arab Emirates)

President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation

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photo of selection committee member
Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev (Italy and United States)

Curator, writer and Honorary Guest Professor at FHNW University in Basel

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photo of selection committee member
Stuart Comer (United States)

Lonti Ebers Chief Curator of Media and Performance at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

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photo of selection committee member
Fernanda Brenner (Brazil & France)

Curator, author, and founding artistic director of Pivô, São Paulo

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photo of selection committee member
X Zhu-Nowell (China and United States)

Director and Chief Curator of the Rockbund Art Museum (RAM) in Shanghai

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This residency pro programme ct encourages creativity in all its forms while making it accessible to as wide an audience as possible. To this end, it organizes meetings with artists, studio tours, workshops, performances, film screenings, and more. As part of this initiative, the residencies open their doors to the general public in June for the“Open studios: Les Rencontres de Montmartre” festival .