Organizer Information
The Power Institute is a long-established Australian research and cultural institution affiliated with the University of Sydney. For more than fifty years, it has supported artists, curators, and researchers through international residency and fellowship programs, with a strong focus on facilitating research-based artistic practice in global cultural centers.
One of its most significant initiatives is its long-running Paris program, established in 1967, which has enabled more than 140 residencies to date. The Institute’s mission is to expand international mobility for Australian cultural practitioners, fostering cross-cultural exchange and embedding Australian art practice within major European artistic networks. In 2026, additional philanthropic support from Nicholas AM and Angela Curtis significantly expanded the scale and financial capacity of its Paris fellowships.
Title & Description
Power Institute Paris Art Fellowships 2027 – Residency & Research Open Call
The Power Institute offers two distinct opportunities for Australian artists, curators, and researchers to live and work in Paris for a three-month period. Both programs are designed to support independent, creative and research-driven practice within one of Europe’s most important cultural ecosystems.
The first opportunity is the Nicholas and Angela Curtis Cité Internationale des Arts Residency Fellowship, which provides selected artists with a fully supported Residency at the internationally renowned Cité Internationale des Arts. Fellows receive dedicated live/work studio space and financial support of AUD $13,000 to cover travel and living costs while immersed in the Parisian art environment.
The second opportunity is the Virginia Spate Research Fellowship, which offers AUD $20,000 in funding for a self-directed research-based stay in Paris. Unlike the residency track, this fellowship prioritizes independent research, curatorial development, and critical inquiry rather than studio-based production.
Both fellowships are designed to support deep engagement with Paris as a global cultural center, enabling practitioners to connect with international peers, institutions, and resources. The program emphasizes critical thinking, professional development, and sustained engagement with contemporary art discourse.
Categories
- Residency
- Research / Curatorial Practice
- Visual Arts
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Art Research & Writing
- Contemporary Art Practice
Eligibility
- Open exclusively to Australian citizens or Permanent Residents
- Applicants must be artists, curators, or researchers working in contemporary art or related fields
- Applicants may apply for only one fellowship per year
- Suitable for emerging, mid-career, and established practitioners
- Projects must demonstrate clear artistic or research intent aligned with international practice
Program Benefits & Awards
Curtis Artist Fellowships:
- 3-month Residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris
- Free access to a live/work studio
- AUD $13,000 financial support for travel and living expenses
- Participation in a major international artist community
Virginia Spate Research Fellowship:
- AUD $20,000 research funding
- 3-month self-directed research stay in Paris
- Support for travel, accommodation, research, and development
Additional benefits across both programs:
- Access to exhibitions, events, and studio exchanges in Paris
- Integration into a global artistic network
- Professional development through immersive international practice
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Project proposal or research outline
- Artist CV or professional biography
- Portfolio of relevant work
- Supporting documentation demonstrating artistic or research practice
- Selection materials aligned with fellowship criteria
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 20 May 2026
- Applications Close: 30 June 2026 (midnight)
- Notification of Results: September 2026
- Fellowship Year: 2027 (3-month residency/research period, dates flexible within cycle)
Location
- Paris, France (host city)
- Managed from Australia via the Power Institute (University of Sydney)
Additional Details
- The program is one of Australia’s longest-running international art residency initiatives
- Fellows join a diverse global community of over 300 artists in residence at any given time
- The Cité provides studios, exhibition spaces, print workshops, and public programming
- Emphasis is placed on artistic exchange, research depth, and international engagement
- Applicants should ensure strong alignment between their proposal and research or studio-based practice
- Only one application per applicant per year is permitted across both fellowship streams