Spend a residency in Paris in 2026!

The aim of this residency programme is to support and encourage the professional integration of artists, enabling them to focus on their practice all the while building up their professional network. The programme is rooted in the life, activities and networks of the Cité internationale des arts and its more than 300 residents from all disciplines, generations, and nationalities. It also offers support through regular meetings with artists and cultural professionals.

 

As part of the residency, we offer:

• A 3-month artistic or research stay;
• Meetings with international artists and with professionals from the local art scene, as well as visits to cultural sites;
• The opportunity to take part in the weekly Open Studios program, during which the general audience, professionals and artist residents are invited to visit the live-in studios of artists in residency and discover their work in progress,
• Possibility to work on specific practice in the technical spaces of the residency centre, together with other artists;
• A presentation of your work and residency outcomes at an exhibition in Galéria Medium in Bratislava;
• A grant of 850 euros/per month during each month of the residency at Cité internationale des arts, supported by AFAD and partners of the programme;
• Other fees and costs related to renting the studio are also covered by the AFAD;
• Accommodation in live-in-studios on the Marais site of the Cité internationale, with a single furnished working and living space and Wi-Fi access.
• Residents may be accompanied by an adult and/or a child aged under 10, in this case the payment of an additional charge will be required. This fee shall be paid by the residents. 

 

Two optional 3-month periods are proposed in this call:

— 5 January to 27 March 2026;

or

— 2 April to 26 June 2026.

There is a possibility to state in the application form a preferred residency term. However, we cannot guarantee that you will complete your residency on the preferred date. The selected date will not be a decisive factor in the selection of future residents.

 

Eligibility criteria and selection process 

This call for applications is addressed to AFAD doctoral students, as well as graduates (including current pedagogical staff) of all ages and disciplines: artists, designers, architects, restorers and curators, as well as theorists, can apply for the open call.

Applicants are invited to send the following documents in English to the email address cite@vsvu.sk  by September 15, 2025 (included):

• Completed application form (downloadable on this page);
• Resumé (max. 4 pages);
• Portfolio including around a minimum of ten visuals with full captions (max. 5 – 10 pages), possibly with video links or audio files representative of the work, if applicable (.mp3, .avi);
• Intention note outlining the project that the candidate wishes to develop within the framework of the residency at Cité internationale des arts and in Paris, as well as the reasons why this residency is necessary and will enrich their career path from both an artistic and a professional point of view (max. 2 – 4 pages);
• Recommendation letter/s, not written by a person working at the AFAD;
• Artist statement (optional).

 

The selection procedure takes place on the basis of submitted applications in two rounds. The first one takes place at the AFAD within a commission composed of members from the academy, as well as from other art institutions. The second round takes place at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris.

Important:

In addition to evaluating the applicants’ professional background, the members of the jury will pay particular attention to the project’s artistic quality, the arguments explaining the added value of doing a residency in Paris – in the framework offered by Cité internationale des arts, the planned work project, and to any contacts or partnerships that have already been established to develop the project and prepare the residency.

Applicants must speak at least one of the following foreign languages ​​at a conversational level – English and/or French.

 

Calendar: 

• Call for applications: until September 15, 2025 (included)

• Results announced: early October 2025

• Residency periods:

  • 5 January to 27 March 2026
  • 2 April to 26 June 2026

 

If you have any questions, please contact us at cite@vsvu.sk

 

More about the Cité internationale des arts in Paris:

The Cité internationale des arts is an artist residency centre that brings together artists and culture profes­sionals in the heart of Paris to work on artistic and re­search projects in all disciplines.

For periods of between two months and one year, the Cité internationale des arts provides them with a wor­king environment that fosters creativity and allows them to meet other arts professionals. The Cité internationale des arts’ team provides residents with bespoke assis­tance and support throughout their stay.

The live-in studios at the Marais and Montmartre sites are a place where residents can live and create in the company of more than 300 artists and culture profes­sionals of every generation, nationality and discipline. Working closely with its many partners, the Cité inter­nationale des arts calls for candidates by theme and/or project throughout the year.

 

For more information about the Cité internationale des arts and its possibilities please check the website: www.citedesartsparis.net/  or download the leaflet here.

Presation leaflet Cité internationale des artsPDF, 4.76 MB

 

Partners

• Slovak Institute in Paris
• Cité internationale des arts Paris
• Tatra Banka Foundation