Organizer Information
The Prix Art Écoconception 2026 is organized by Art of Change 21, a French non-profit association (loi 1901) based in Paris and officially registered under SIREN 805 183 746. The organization operates at the intersection of contemporary art and environmental advocacy, developing cultural and educational initiatives aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing action around ecological transition within the art world.
Its mission is to integrate environmental responsibility into artistic practices through exhibitions, public programs, and professional development initiatives. The association has developed strong institutional partnerships, including public funding support from the ADEME (French Agency for Ecological Transition) and the French Ministry of Culture. The 2026 edition of the Prize is also developed in collaboration with the Palais de Tokyo (Palais de Tokyo), which hosts key events, including the award ceremony and training sessions, and contributes curatorial and educational expertise.
Additional support comes from private cultural partners such as Maison Ruinart and the Fondation LAccolade, reinforcing the initiative’s hybrid public-private cultural ecosystem.
Title & Description
Prix Art Écoconception 2026 – Supporting Artists Toward Sustainable Practice in Contemporary Art
The Prix Art Écoconception is an annual initiative designed to support contemporary artists in actively reducing the environmental impact of their artistic practice. The 2026 edition will select 12 laureate artists from across France and internationally (provided they reside in France) to participate in a structured program combining training, field visits, and expert mentorship.
The core purpose of the program is not to fund a specific artistic project, but to enable artists to critically evaluate and transform the ecological footprint of their existing practice. Selected artists will engage in a four-day intensive program in Paris and the Greater Paris region, where they will learn from environmental experts, curators, and practitioners working at the intersection of art and sustainability.
The program also includes immersive visits to sites related to ecological transition in the art and cultural sectors, allowing participants to gain practical insights into sustainable production methods, material sourcing, and institutional practices.
The Prize positions ecological responsibility not as an aesthetic theme, but as a structural transformation of artistic production methods, encouraging long-term behavioral and professional change.
Categories
This open call is open to contemporary visual and plastic arts, including but not limited to:
- Visual Arts
- Fine Arts
- Installation
- Sculpture
- Painting
- Mixed Media
- Contemporary Art Practices
Note: The work must be strictly artistic in nature and cannot serve functional or decorative purposes. Interdisciplinary visual practices are welcome as long as they fall within the field of contemporary art.
Eligibility
- Artists aged 18 years and older
- French and international artists residing in France
- Artists not currently holding student status
- Individual artists (duos or collectives allowed under a single application)
- Artists working in any thematic field (ecology is not required as a prior focus)
Additional requirements:
- Strong understanding of French (oral and written) is required (approx. 70–80% of program content)
- Basic to intermediate English comprehension is required (approx. 20–30% of program content)
- Artists must demonstrate a willingness to engage in ecological transformation of their practice
Program Benefits & Awards
- €1,000 grant per artist (or per collective/duo as a single award)
- A 4-day professional development program, including:
- 2 mandatory days at Palais de Tokyo (training sessions, June 2–3, 2026)
- 2 optional field visit days across the Greater Paris region (June 4–5, 2026)
- Access to workshops led by environmental experts, curators, and artists
- Exposure to sustainable practices in contemporary art institutions
- Networking opportunities with cultural and ecological professionals
- Contribution to travel and accommodation costs:
- Up to €250 reimbursement per artist (upon justification)
Additional benefits include long-term professional learning and integration into an ecological art network supported by Art of Change 21.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Completed online questionnaire (30–90 minutes)
- Artist portfolio (documented artistic practice)
- Personal and professional information
- Description of artistic practice and materials used
- Reflection on the environmental impact of their work
- Motivation regarding ecological transition in their practice
No specific new project proposal is required.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 3 May 2026
- Finalists selection: Prior to June 2026
- Award ceremony: June 1, 2026 at Palais de Tokyo (Palais de Tokyo)
- Training program: June 2–3, 2026 (mandatory, Paris)
- Field visits: June 4–5, 2026 (optional, Greater Paris region)
Location
Paris, France
Additional Details
- Selection is based on artistic quality, environmental relevance of practice, and willingness to transform production methods.
- A jury of 12 members will select 12 laureates from 36 finalists.
- Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
- Participation includes mandatory attendance at key program dates unless justified by exceptional circumstances.
- Selected artists grant non-exclusive rights for use of submitted visual materials for communication and promotion of the Prize (up to 5 years for artworks and 2 years for portraits).
- All application data is handled in compliance with GDPR regulations and French data protection law.