Organizer Information
Established in 1993 at the initiative of the French Ministry of Culture, CRAFT (Centre de Recherche sur les Arts du Feu et de la Terre) is a premier international laboratory located in Limoges, a city world-renowned for its porcelain heritage. CRAFT serves as a unique interface between contemporary art, design, and industry. Over the past 30 years, it has hosted globally recognized artists and architects to push the boundaries of ceramic materials. The organization is supported by the DRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and the City of Limoges, maintaining a prestigious permanent collection that is frequently consulted by international curators and museums.
Title & Description
Appel à Projet: Résidence Recherche & Création 2026
The 2026 residency invites visionary creators to explore the potential of ceramics through an ambitious research-based project. The program is designed to move beyond traditional tableware, encouraging "unclassifiable" and monumental works that combine ancestral savoir-faire with modern technological innovation. Selected residents are encouraged to experiment, subvert techniques, and develop a visionary project that contributes to the contemporary ceramic heritage. The residency focuses on the process of research and technical discovery as much as the final output.
Categories
The call is interdisciplinary and welcomes a variety of mediums, provided they engage with ceramic materials:
- Visual Arts & Sculpture
- Design (Product & Industrial)
- Architecture & Urbanism
- Ceramic Arts (Contemporary and Experimental)
- Space & Installation Design
Eligibility
The program is highly selective and seeks established or high-potential professionals:
- Profiles: Open to artists, designers, architects, and professional collectives.
- Geographic: International (Open to candidates worldwide).
- Experience: Candidates should ideally have a minimum of 5 years of professional practice and a history of exhibitions in recognized galleries or institutions.
- Languages: Proficiency in either French or English is required (bilingual technical support is provided).
- Restrictions: Not open to current students.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Residency Grant: A net stipend of €6,000 (covering residency fees/living allowance).
- Production Budget: Up to €3,000 for production costs and materials.
- Technical Support: Access to 400 m² of specialized workshops and the guidance of two permanent expert ceramic technicians.
- Living Accommodations: Housing, travel costs, and one meal per day are covered by the host.
- Exposure: Public project presentation, a final exhibition (scheduled for 2027), and a bilingual publication (Residency Notebook).
- Legacy: One work typically remains with the artist, while another enters the prestigious CRAFT permanent collection.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Candidates must submit a digital dossier (PDF format) including:
- Detailed CV/Biography: Outlining professional experience and past exhibitions.
- Information Sheet: Personal details and professional status.
- Illustrated Portfolio: A representative selection of past works and projects.
- Statement of Intent: A detailed proposal of the research avenues and project envisioned for the residency.
- Letter of Recommendation (Optional): From a recognized institution or personality in the arts field.
How to Apply?
Applications should be sent to: contact@craft-limoges.org
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 31 December 2025
- Interviews (Shortlisted Candidates): Late January 2026
- Notification Date: 30 January 2026
- Residency Period: 12 weeks (between April and December 2026), which can be split into multiple stays.
- Final Exhibition: May 2027
Location
Limoges, France
Additional Details
The residency requires a spirit of transmission; residents are often expected to lead a short workshop or meeting with students from local art schools (such as ENSAD Limoges). The program provides all necessary heavy equipment, including kilns, molds, and raw materials. Artists retain copyright over their creations, though CRAFT retains reproduction rights for the work integrated into its collection.