Organizer Information
The residency is hosted by Maison Populaire, a renowned contemporary art center based in Montreuil, France. Founded in 1966, the institution operates as a multidisciplinary cultural hub combining a contemporary art center, music venue, and community-oriented creative space.
The Maison Populaire is particularly known for its curatorial residency program, which has supported numerous emerging and established curators since 1995. Its model functions as a “laboratory of experimentation,” offering a platform for research-based curatorial practices and public engagement. The institution collaborates with regional and national cultural networks and emphasizes accessibility, education, and artistic innovation.
Title & Description
Curatorial Residency 2027 – Maison Populaire (Montreuil, France)
The Curatorial Residency 2027 at Maison Populaire is a 12-month professional development and production program designed for emerging curators seeking to develop a comprehensive curatorial project within a dynamic institutional framework.
This residency invites one curator to conceive and implement a full exhibition cycle composed of three exhibitions, accompanied by public programming, editorial production, and artistic mediation activities. The selected curator will work closely with the institution’s team to shape a research-driven curatorial proposal aligned with the 2027 theme:
“Déjouer les présents sans fin” (Disrupting Endless Presents)
The program is structured as both a research and production platform, encouraging critical reflection on contemporary socio-political conditions while engaging audiences through exhibitions, performances, screenings, and discussions.
A distinctive aspect of this residency is the requirement to select and collaborate with an artist for a parallel digital creation residency, integrating artistic production into the curatorial framework. This dual structure reinforces dialogue between curatorial thinking and artistic practice.
The residency includes a preparatory phase (mid-2026) followed by the main program throughout 2027, enabling the curator to fully develop, produce, and present their project within a professional institutional context.
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Visual Arts
- Contemporary Art
- Exhibition Making
- Interdisciplinary Practices
- Research-based Practices
Eligibility
- Open to emerging or early-career curators
- Applicants must demonstrate at least one prior curatorial experience
- Candidates must be able to reside in or have access to accommodation in Île-de-France
- Open to national and international applicants, provided they can physically participate in the program
- Applicants must be available during both the preparation phase (mid-2026) and the residency period (2027)
Program Benefits & Awards
- Curatorial fee: Approximately €9,000 gross for the full residency
- Access to a production budget (~€50,000) for exhibitions and programming
- Additional €5,000 budget for publication (catalogue production)
- Dedicated €10,000 budget for the selected artist’s digital residency (including €5,000 artist fee)
- Full institutional support (curatorial guidance, production, communication, logistics)
- Opportunity to curate a major exhibition cycle in a recognized contemporary art center
- Professional exposure through exhibitions, publications, and public programming
- Integration into a professional network of artists, curators, and cultural institutions
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
Phase I (Pre-selection)
- Completed application form
- Curatorial proposal/note of intent (max. 5 pages)
- CV
Phase II (Shortlisted Candidates)
- Extended project dossier (15–20 pages)
- Detailed exhibition concept, budget, and artistic references
- Proposed artist for digital residency
- CV and professional biography
- Proof of professional status (e.g., registration with relevant bodies)
Shortlisted candidates invited to Phase II receive a €200 fee for their proposal development.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline (Phase I): 12 April 2026
- Phase II Deadline: 17 May 2026
- Interviews: May 26–29, 2026
- Final Selection Announcement: Early June 2026
- Preparation Phase: July – December 2026
- Residency Period: January 4 – December 18, 2027
Location
Montreuil, France
Additional Details
- The residency requires strong commitment and on-site presence
- Interviews must be attended in person (no online option)
- The curator must manage multiple responsibilities, including artist selection, production coordination, budget management, and publication development
- Emphasis is placed on public engagement, requiring interaction with local communities and audiences
- The program supports experimental, research-driven curatorial approaches
This residency is particularly suited for curators aiming to transition into institutional-scale exhibition making and develop long-term professional trajectories in the contemporary art field.