Organizer Information
Les Ateliers du Nil is a residency program in Egypt supported by the Institut français, as part of the Fabrique des résidences. The program is connected to the Institut français d’Égypte and coordinated with the Institut français in Paris. It operates in collaboration with Bayt Yakan in Cairo and Marsa in Alexandria, creating opportunities for exchange between French and Egyptian artistic scenes. The Alexandria residency is hosted by Marsa, a contemporary art organization and cultural space supporting artistic research, experimentation, and new work in visual arts and new media.
Title & Description
Curatorial Residency in Alexandria – Les Ateliers du Nil
The Curatorial Residency in Alexandria offers a one-month research residency for a curator, art researcher, or visual artist developing an ongoing project with a curatorial dimension. The residency is designed as an open framework for research, encounters, experimentation, and the development of innovative approaches.
Based in Alexandria, participants can investigate the city’s complex cultural context, including its cosmopolitan history, urban development, multiple heritages, diasporas, and distinctive geography. The residency aims to encourage deeper connections between French and Egyptian artistic communities and to facilitate meetings with local artists and cultural organizations.
The research does not require a finished artistic or curatorial outcome. However, a public presentation or other form of restitution may be organized in connection with the Institut français and Marsa.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Art Research
- Contemporary Art, New Media
Eligibility
The residency is open to applicants who:
- Are French nationals or live and work in France.
- Have a minimum of 3 years of professional experience.
- Are developing an established artistic or curatorial research project.
- Can be fully available during the one-month residency period.
- Hold a passport valid for at least six months after the residency.
- Have proficiency in French and English. Knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage.
Applicants should demonstrate the ability to independently conduct research and work within an international and immersive environment.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Return economy-class travel between France and Egypt.
- Accommodation in Alexandria.
- Visa costs/support.
- €1,600 residency grant, paid by bank transfer to the resident.
- €500 production grant.
- Dedicated workspace at Marsa.
- Connections with artists, cultural organizations, and artistic communities in Alexandria.
- Opportunities for encounters, research, and potential mediation activities such as workshops, meetings, or conferences.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 October 2026
- Results announced: 25 October 2026
- Residency period: One month between November and December 2026
Location
Marsa, Alexandria, Egypt
Additional Details
Selection is based on the artistic and curatorial quality of the proposed research, including originality, rigor, and its relationship to the applicant’s professional trajectory. The selection committee will also consider the project’s connection to Alexandria, the relevance of proposed public-engagement activities, its feasibility within a one-month residency, and the applicant’s professional experience and ability to conduct independent research.
The residency is particularly suited to practitioners interested in developing dialogue between French and Egyptian artistic contexts. Applicants should be prepared for an immersive research period and demonstrate how their project can meaningfully engage with Alexandria and its local cultural ecosystem.