Organizer Information
The Jean-Claude Reynal Grant is administered under the auspices of the Fondation de France in collaboration with the École supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux (EBABX). The grant is named after French printmaker Jean-Claude Reynal, whose artistic practice and pedagogical legacy strongly influenced contemporary printmaking and drawing education in France. Reynal’s own career was shaped by international study trips (notably to San Francisco and Oslo), and he consistently promoted artistic exchange through workshops and residencies involving students and teachers.
Following his death in 1988, the foundation was established in accordance with his wishes by his father, Georges Reynal, with the mission of continuing this spirit of mobility, experimentation, and cross-cultural artistic dialogue. Today, the grant supports emerging visual artists working on paper and aims to sustain the tradition of international artistic exposure as a key component of artistic development.
Title & Description
Jean-Claude Reynal Grant 2026 – €10,000 Award for Young Artists Working on Paper
The Jean-Claude Reynal Grant is an international funding opportunity designed to support a young visual artist whose practice is centred on works on paper. The grant awards €10,000 to support a research-based study trip abroad, enabling the selected artist to develop their practice through international mobility and cultural immersion.
The core objective of the program is to encourage artistic research and production in relation to a geographical displacement. The grant specifically supports either:
- Artists residing in France undertaking a research stay abroad, or
- International artists coming to France for a research-based residency experience.
The funded stay must last between 3 and 6 months, during which the selected artist is expected to develop a project directly connected to their broader artistic practice. The emphasis is on experimentation, research, and production within the field of paper-based visual arts, including drawing, engraving, printmaking, collage, watercolour, ink, graphite, and related media.
At the conclusion of the project, artists are expected to produce a form of restitution such as a publication, exhibition, or presentation reflecting their experience and artistic development during the mobility period.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Drawing
- Illustration
- Printmaking / Engraving
- Collage
- Watercolor
- Ink-based Practices
- Mixed Media on Paper
- Graphic Arts / Poster Art
Eligibility
- Open internationally (all nationalities eligible)
- Artists aged 20 to 30 years old
- Minimum 2 years of active artistic practice in works on paper
- No formal academic requirements (open to all training backgrounds)
- Artists must be able to undertake a 3–6 month international stay
Program Benefits & Awards
- €10,000 grant awarded to the selected artist
- Financial support intended for travel, living expenses, and artistic research abroad
- International mobility opportunity (France or abroad, depending on applicant's origin)
- Professional visibility through Fondation de France and ebabx platforms
- Opportunity for final dissemination via exhibition, publication, or project presentation
- Potential use of selected artwork for promotional materials by the foundation and the school
Payment structure:
- 70% of the grant is paid upon selection
- 30% paid after project completion and submission of a mandatory report
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed application form
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Valid identification document
- Portfolio of artistic work (focused on paper-based practices)
- Statement of intent outlining:
- Project concept
- Relationship to current artistic practice
- Proposed timeline for the 3–6 month stay
Shortlisted applicants will later be required to send:
- Three original works on paper (drawings or prints)
- Maximum size: 40 × 60 cm
- Physical submission via post to Bordeaux, France
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 4 May 2026
Location
Bordeaux, France
Additional Details
- Submitted physical artworks of non-selected candidates will be returned by post
- Applicants must maintain a valid postal address until October 2026
- The selected artist must submit a final report documenting the project outcome
- The jury includes representatives from Fondation de France, ebabx leadership, faculty members, and art professionals
- Selected artists grant permission for the foundation to use one artwork for promotional purposes