To Paris with the AFAD
The Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava became the first university in the region which made a partnership with the Cité internationale des arts, an international center for artistic residencies in Paris. In cooperation with the Slovak Institute in Paris, the first resident will be sent to France this year.
Active since 1965, the Cité internationale des arts in Paris is the largest center of art residences in the world. It collaborates with more than one hundred and thirty French and foreign organizations that send there hundreds of artists from all over the world every year. Residents have at their disposal studios in two buildings - in the Marais and Montmartre districts, as well as assistance in career development or in establishing professional contacts.
The AFAD has become one of the partners of the Cité internationale des arts, which will enable it to send Slovak artists on three-month stays in Paris. In the preparation and organization of residences the AFAD cooperates with the Slovak Institute in Paris which initiated this project and will be its active partner.
"In my opinion, it is extremely important for the university not to confine in itself, but to perceive the needs of doctoral students and art school graduates. Having a studio in Paris is, of course, a very prestigious thing, but it is much more important for the university to have a wider reach into the artistic community in order to create conditions for the growth and progress of our graduates. This strengthens our loyalty in relationships,” comments on the new project the rector of the AFAD Bohunka Koklesová.
The condition for the selection of an applicant for a residency will be, in addition to the submission of the project, also the completion of studies at the AFAD or current studies at the doctoral level. Age and artistic medium will not be decisive factor - fine artists will be able to apply for the open call, as well as designers and architects of all ages.
“Apart from being a great experience for the artist, it is also a wonderful opportunity to present oneself. French gallerists and collectors are finally beginning to be aware of the quality we have at home and are no longer just talking about the most famous names. In addition to middle-aged artists, the exclusive representation has also been signed by young artists and recent graduates of art schools,” adds Jakub Urik, director of the Slovak Institute in Paris.
Follow our social networks and website, where we will publish soon an open call for the first residency, which should take place in the second half of this year.
