Organizer Information
The Center for Art and the Political Imaginary (CAPIm) is a collaborative research center dedicated to the study of art, education, and artistic research. It is institutionally hosted by two of Sweden’s leading art schools: the Royal Institute of Art (Kungl. Konsthögskolan) in Stockholm and HDK-Valand Academy of Art and Design in Gothenburg. CAPIm’s mission is to foster environments where pedagogy and artistic research meet to challenge current political paradigms and engage with critical issues of our time. By building long-term institutional collaborations, CAPIm positions art as a vital site for repair, re-imagining shared worlds, and addressing historical and ongoing transformations through an emancipatory lens.
Title & Description
CAPIm Summer School 2026: Unlearning Imperialism through Potential History
This intensive nine-day summer school takes place in Marseille, France, and focuses on the relationship between art and the political imaginary. Taking inspiration from Ariella Aïsha Azoulay’s notion of "potential history," the program uses the city of Marseille—a port city defined by migration, extraction, and empire—as a living case study. Participants will engage in collective food preparation, close reading sessions, and intensive workshops with invited artists and theorists, including Azoulay herself. The goal is to refuse the closure of the colonial archive and explore how artistic practice can contribute to decoloniality and the repair of shared worlds.
Categories
- Visual Art & Fine Arts
- Artistic Research
- Architecture
- Curatorial Practice
- Writing & Literature
- Cultural Work / Activism
Eligibility
This call is open to international applicants. Specifically, it seeks:
- Artistic researchers from any discipline.
- Students and doctoral candidates in the fields of art or artistic research.
- Artists, architects, or cultural workers with a demonstrated investment in the "political imaginary" as an emancipatory practice.
- Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English and be available for the full duration of the program on-site (no virtual participation is possible).
Program Benefits & Awards
- Free Tuition: The program is free of charge for all selected participants.
- Travel & Accommodation: Travel costs to and from Marseille and accommodation in collective, rented apartments are fully covered.
- Meals & Materials: Mid-day meals and all workshop materials are provided.
- Mentorship & Networking: Intensive engagement with leading theorists and artists, and connection to a network of 14 international peers.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Statement of Intention: A text (maximum 800 words) outlining why you wish to participate and how your practice engages with the concept of the political imaginary.
- Links: The option to provide links to a personal website or professional social media profiles to showcase previous work.
- Personal Information: Standard contact details and professional background as required by the Varbi recruitment system.
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 10 January 2026
- Interview Dates: February 3–4, 2026.
- Final Decision Notification: Before 15 February 2026
- Online Introductory Session: Late May 2026.
- Residency/Summer School Period: June 28 – July 6, 2026.
Location
Marseille, France
Additional Details
The program involves intensive physical and intellectual engagement, often occurring in high summer heat, and requires a commitment of roughly six hours of core programming per day. While travel and lodging are covered, participants are responsible for their own insurance, visa fees, local ground transport, and evening meals. The selection process is highly competitive, as the core program is capped at only 14 participants.