Organizer Information
The Villa Hanbul – Busan residency program is a collaborative international initiative developed through partnerships between the City of Busan, the City of Cannes, Campus Art Méditerranée, the Fiminco Foundation, and the French Lycée in Seoul. Since its launch in 2024, the program has established itself as a dynamic platform for artistic exchange between France and South Korea, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and research-based artistic practices.
Hosted at the Hongti Art Center in Busan, the residency supports emerging and early-career artists by offering them immersive experiences within the Korean cultural and artistic landscape. The program is particularly focused on artists whose work benefits from geographical displacement, intercultural encounters, and site-specific research. Through institutional support and curated networking opportunities, Villa Hanbul aims to strengthen international artistic mobility while encouraging experimental and interdisciplinary practices.
Title & Description
Villa Hanbul – Busan Visual Arts Residency 2026 (South Korea)
The Villa Hanbul – Busan Residency 2026 is an international visual arts residency program offering a six-week research-based residency in Busan, South Korea. Designed for emerging artists, the program supports the development of artistic projects that require immersion in the Korean cultural, social, or artistic context.
This residency is not production-driven but focuses on research, exploration, and intercultural exchange. Artists are expected to engage with local professionals, institutions, and environments to deepen their artistic inquiry. The program encourages projects that demonstrate a clear conceptual framework and a strong connection between the proposed research and the Korean context.
Participating artists will be required to maintain a residency journal documenting their process, including meetings, research developments, and reflections. This documentation may include written texts, sketches, photographs, or other relevant materials, forming an integral part of the residency outcome.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Painting
- Drawing
- Photography
- Video
- New Media / Digital Art
- Interdisciplinary Practices
Eligibility
- Must be a graduate of the Beaux-Arts de Marseille within the last five years (2021–2025 cohorts)
- Must be an emerging or early-career visual artist
- Must hold French nationality or have resided in France for at least five years
- Must be able to communicate in English or Korean
- Must be professionally active in one of the eligible artistic disciplines
- Must propose a research project that requires immersion in South Korea
Program Benefits & Awards
- Residency grant of €2,000
- Round-trip airfare (Paris–Seoul) covered up to 1.2 million KRW by the French Embassy
- Round-trip train ticket (Seoul–Busan)
- Free accommodation at Hongti Art Center (private living and working space with Wi-Fi)
- Curatorial and logistical support from a French-speaking Korean coordinator
- Pre-residency guidance and networking preparation
- Ongoing mentorship and support throughout the residency
- Access to local art networks, institutions, and professionals
This program offers a strong framework for artistic research, international exposure, and professional development within an Asian context.
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Artistic portfolio (texts, images, and optional video links)
- Detailed CV (including contact information and date of birth)
- Residency project proposal (max. 2 pages outlining concept, research goals, relevance to Busan, and future outcomes)
- Signed declaration confirming:
- Acceptance of program rules
- Authorship of submitted works
- Full availability during the residency period
- Proof of eligibility (degree, residency status, etc.)
All materials must be submitted in English as a single PDF file (maximum 15 pages).
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email: art@kr.ambafrance-culture.org
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 11 May 2026
- Final Selection Committee: 17 June 2026
- Notification of Results: 19 June 2026
- Residency Period: September 16 – October 28, 2026 (6 weeks)
Location
Busan, South Korea
Additional Details
- The selection process includes eligibility screening, expert preselection, and final interviews with shortlisted candidates.
- Only one artist will be selected for this residency cycle.
- The evaluation criteria focus on artistic quality, relevance of the proposed project, and the necessity of conducting research in South Korea.
- Candidates with existing or planned connections to Korean art professionals or institutions are strongly encouraged.
- The residency emphasizes research and exchange rather than final production or exhibition.