Organizer Information
The open call is organized by ADIAF through its dedicated initiative ADIAF Emergence. ADIAF is a major French collectors’ association committed to supporting and promoting contemporary French and France-connected art on the international stage. Its activities are closely linked to the contemporary art ecosystem, including partnerships with institutions such as the Institut de France – Académie des Beaux-Arts and collaborations with art schools like the École des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. Through programs such as the Emergence Grants, ADIAF positions itself as a long-term supporter of emerging artistic, curatorial, and critical practices, particularly within the French and France-linked contemporary art scene.
Title & Description
ADIAF Emergence Grants 2026 (5th Edition)
The ADIAF Emergence Grants 2026 is a structured support program designed to identify and financially support young professionals in contemporary art, including artists, art critics, and exhibition curators. The program is divided into three distinct grant categories:
- A curated grant for a young art critic and/or exhibition curator (under 40), pre-selected by the organizers.
- Two grants for artists (individuals or collectives) selected through an open call.
- One grant for an artist emerging from an art school, selected via a pre-selection process coordinated with the École des Beaux-Arts de Lyon.
Each selected participant receives financial support and long-term professional visibility within the ADIAF network. The grants are not tied to production obligations, ensuring artistic independence. The initiative emphasizes long-term professional follow-up, visibility in the French and international contemporary art scene, and participation in prestigious art world events associated with ADIAF’s broader activities.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Contemporary Art Practice
- Mixed Media
- Installation
- Conceptual Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Art Criticism / Writing
- Emerging Art Practices
- Art School Graduates
Eligibility
Artists (Open Call):
- Under 40 years old at the application deadline
- Must have a connection to the French art scene (birth, study, residence, or work)
- Individuals or collectives eligible
- Must not have previously received this grant
Art School Artists:
- Final-year students or graduates within the past 3 years
- Pre-selected by partner art school (École des Beaux-Arts de Lyon)
- Individuals or collectives eligible
- No previous participation in the program
Critic/Curator (by co-optation):
- Under 40 years old
- Must be linked to the French art scene
- Individuals or collectives eligible
- Cannot have previously received the grant
Program Benefits & Awards
- Each laureate receives a €1,500 grant
- Public visibility through the ADIAF website, newsletter, and social media channels
- Invitations to major ADIAF events, including those related to the Marcel Duchamp Prize ecosystem
- Long-term professional follow-up by ADIAF
- No production or exhibition obligations required for artists or curators
- Curator laureate participates in the jury as an observer in the following edition
- Networking opportunities within a high-level contemporary art environment
- Institutional visibility within a recognized French art ecosystem
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Portfolio (artistic or curatorial, depending on category)
- Confirmation of having read and accepted the official rules
- Confirmation of acceptance of the ADIAF Code of Ethics (published by ADIAF)
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 April 2026
- 18–22 May 2026: Jury meeting and announcement of laureates
Location
France
Additional Details
- The jury includes artists, collectors (non-gallerists and non–art advisors), institutional representatives from the Institut de France – Académie des Beaux-Arts, and independent contemporary art professionals.
- Diversity in artistic background, geography, and practice is explicitly encouraged.
- The program is designed as a non-reciprocal grant (no obligations of production, exhibition, or commissioned work).
- The curator laureate joins the jury in the following cycle as an observer.
- ADIAF reserves the right to withdraw communication permissions at any time and ensures strict ethical compliance through its Code of Ethics framework.