Organizer Information
The Commune de Gurgy is a small municipality in the Burgundy region of France, located near Auxerre and easily accessible via the A6 highway. With a population of approximately 1,800, Gurgy places a strong emphasis on cultural development and public access to the arts. Since 2012, the Espace Culturel de Gurgy has provided a high-quality exhibition space for Painting, Sculpture, and Photography, hosting annual programming for diverse audiences. Since 2017, the commune has welcomed artists in residence, and in 2026, it will expand its cultural offerings with a Residency project called “Hors les murs,” dedicated to the creation of a
public artwork integrated into the urban landscape.
Title & Description
Hors les Murs Artist Residency 2026
The Commune de Gurgy invites professional artists to apply for the 2026 Hors les murs
residency. The program focuses on the creation of a durable public artwork on a concrete slab located on the parvis of the Gurgy town hall. The slab measures 2.5 x 5 meters and sits in front of a community services building that hosts local associations.
Selected artists will also carry out public engagement and cultural mediation activities, including:
- Presenting stages of their work to residents.
- Hosting interactive sessions with children from the local leisure center.
- Leading participatory events involving the local community.
Previous projects, such as the 2021 mural by Thibault Messac, have demonstrated how community participation can enrich public artworks, incorporating personal objects from residents and workshops with children.
The
residency is designed to produce an artwork that respects the identity of the location, remains visible for at least one year, and encourages dialogue between the artist and the public.
Categories
Visual Arts, Public Art, Installation,
Site-specific, Painting, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Fiber/Textile Art
Eligibility
- Open to professional artists with a validated artistic practice.
- Artists must have:
- Personal vehicle (optional Electric Assist Bike provided for local mobility).
- Civil liability insurance.
- Social security coverage (e.g., Maison des Artistes).
- A valid SIRET number or representation by an authorized administrative structure.
- Compliance with French tax and social obligations.
- Foreign nationals require a valid residence permit.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Residency Duration: 3 weeks in April 2026.
- Stipend: €1,500 for living expenses.
- Production Support: Up to €1,000 for materials (evaluated per project).
- Hébergement: Accommodation costs covered by the commune.
- Workspace provided in the Espace Culturel de Gurgy (70 m², public WiFi, exhibition grids, tables, chairs, and other equipment).
- Optional technical support and equipment (scaffolding, Electric Assist Bike).
- Communication support: The commune manages publicity and dissemination of the residency project.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed administrative form.
- Updated CV.
- Artistic portfolio detailing previous work (visuals, press excerpts, articles).
- Statement of intent outlining the residency project and personal motivations.
- Applications must be submitted in French.
How to Apply?
Applications can be submitted by post or by email (PDF, max 5MB per file) to:
Postal Address:
Mairie de Gurgy
11 rue de l’Ile Chamond
89250 Gurgy,
France
Email Contact: culturetourisme@gurgy.net
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 19 February 2026
- Residency Period: 3 weeks, April 2026
Location
Gurgy, France
Additional Details
- Artists must be autonomous in production; some technical support may be requested in advance.
- All health and safety regulations must be followed within the cultural space.
- The artwork should integrate with the landscape and reflect the identity of the location.
- Selection criteria include artistic quality, originality, community engagement, integration into the site, and completeness of the application.
