Organizer Information
Maison Ackerman and the Abbaye royale de Fontevraud (Fontevraud Royal Abbey) jointly organize the Ackerman + Fontevraud Artist Residency, an annual contemporary art initiative established to support ambitious artistic projects in an exceptional heritage setting.
Founded in 1811, Maison Ackerman is a historic producer of Loire Valley sparkling wines based in Saint-Hilaire-Saint-Florent, near Saumur, France. Beyond its winemaking heritage, the Maison has developed a long-standing commitment to contemporary art, transforming its extensive underground tuffeau limestone caves into spaces for immersive artistic experiences.
Fontevraud Royal Abbey is a major historic monument in the Loire Valley with an established tradition of hosting artists and contemporary art projects. Through this partnership, the two institutions provide artists with an opportunity to develop site-specific installations that connect contemporary artistic practices with architecture, history, heritage, and sensory experience.
Title & Description
Ackerman + Fontevraud Artist Residency 2027 – “Voyages”
The 2027 edition invites artists to propose an original, immersive artwork inspired by the theme of “Voyages.” Selected artists will explore ideas of travel, discovery, movement, exchange, and cultural encounters through a contemporary interpretation of Maison Ackerman’s international history.
The theme draws inspiration from Raymond de Luze, an early ambassador of the Maison who traveled through Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to promote its wines. Artists may investigate historical and imagined journeys, transportation systems, railway stations, ports, ships, transatlantic crossings, and the movement of people, objects, and ideas across geographical and cultural boundaries.
The proposed artwork will occupy a long underground gallery within Ackerman’s historic troglodytic caves. The environment offers opportunities to experiment with light, shadow, sound, materials, and spatial perception. Video, lighting, and sound-based approaches are particularly encouraged.
The selected artist will also develop an original illustration adaptable for Maison Ackerman wine labels and/or packaging.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Installation Art
- Contemporary Art
- Multimedia Art
- Video Art
- Light Art
- Sound Art
- Site-Specific Art
- Immersive Art
- Interdisciplinary Artistic Practices
Eligibility
The call invites artists capable of developing an ambitious, original, site-specific artistic project. The announcement does not specify nationality restrictions, an age limit, or a particular career stage.
Applicants should demonstrate a coherent artistic practice and the ability to develop work in response to a distinctive architectural and environmental context. Proposals should consider the physical conditions of the underground gallery, particularly its high humidity and material requirements.
The first application stage does not require a project proposal or statement of intent. Shortlisted artists will subsequently be invited to prepare a more detailed project dossier.
Program Benefits & Awards
The selected artist will receive a total project budget of €25,000, including all taxes (TTC), allocated as follows:
- €7,000 TTC: Artist fees, exhibition rights, and residency time.
- €18,000 TTC: Artwork design and production.
Additional benefits include:
- An artist residency at Fontevraud Royal Abbey.
- Individual accommodation, shared living spaces, a communal kitchen, relaxation areas, and garden access.
- Access to a dedicated workspace or studio.
- The opportunity to create and exhibit an immersive installation in Ackerman’s underground caves.
- A planned five-year exhibition period for the ephemeral artwork.
- Development of an illustration for potential use on Maison Ackerman labels and/or packaging.
- Professional visibility through an established partnership between two cultural and heritage institutions.
Shortlisted artists will receive €500 to prepare the second-stage project dossier.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted exclusively by email to Corentin Roturier, the artist residency coordinator, at c.roturier@fontevraud.fr
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 18 October 2026
- First jury meeting and shortlist announcement: 2 November 2026
- Visits for shortlisted artists: November 16–18, 2026.
- Deadline for project intention dossiers: 16 December 2026
- Final jury decision and winner announcement: 8 January 2027
- Start of the creative residency: Mid-January 2027
- Artwork inauguration: May–June 2027
Location
France
Additional Details
The exhibition space consists of a long underground gallery within a network of troglodytic caves extending approximately 500 meters. The allocated gallery features several recessed areas, generous ceiling height, and near-total darkness, making it particularly suitable for immersive installations.
Artists must account for high humidity and select appropriate materials and technical equipment. The work should respond meaningfully to the architectural environment rather than simply reproduce historical events.
The selection process is overseen by a multidisciplinary jury of arts professionals, including Marie-Pierre Bathany, Isabelle Bernini, Emmanuel Morin, Isabelle Tellier, and 2026 residency laureate Pierre-Alexandre Rémy.