Organizer Information
The French Institute of Tunisia (Institut français de Tunisie, IFT) is a cultural institution dedicated to promoting French language, arts, culture, and international cultural cooperation in Tunisia. Through artistic programs, professional exchanges, and creative initiatives, the institute supports dialogue between French, Tunisian, and international cultural communities.
Villa Salammbô is an international research and creation residency program initiated by the IFT. Now based at Villa Juliette in Sousse, the program provides a space for artists, researchers, thinkers, and curators to develop projects connected to Tunisian territory. Its seventh season emphasizes artistic experimentation, interdisciplinary exchange, engagement with local contexts, and collaboration with Tunisian artists and cultural professionals.
Title & Description
Villa Salammbô Season 7 – International Research and Creation Residency 2026, Sousse, Tunisia
Villa Salammbô – Season 7: International Research and Creation Residency of the IFT is an international residency program inviting artists to develop research-based artistic projects related to Tunisia. The residency offers a dedicated period for creative exploration, cultural exchange, and engagement with the local artistic scene.
Hosted at Villa Juliette in central Sousse, the one-month program encourages participants to investigate Tunisian cultural, social, historical, and artistic contexts through their individual practices. Applicants are expected to propose projects demonstrating originality, relevance to the local environment, and potential for collaboration with Tunisian artists or cultural partners.
At the end of the residency, selected participants will have an opportunity to share their work or research with the local community through public-facing activities such as meetings and workshops.
Categories
The residency welcomes applications across the following artistic disciplines:
- Visual Arts: Painting, photography, digital art, video art, sculpture, design, crafts, and architecture.
- Performing Arts: Dance, theatre, music, puppetry, and circus arts.
- Cinema and Documentary: Film-based and documentary practices.
- Literature: Comics, children's literature, and related literary practices.
Interdisciplinary projects are welcome when they demonstrate a clear connection to Tunisian territory and a meaningful relationship with the local context.
Eligibility
The residency is open to professional artists of any age who meet the program's geographical and project requirements. Three applicant profiles are eligible:
- Artists residing in France with a project related to Tunisia.
- Artists residing in North Africa, excluding Tunisia, with a project related to Tunisia.
- Artists residing in Tunisia who propose a collaborative project developed as a duo with a French artist or an artist residing in France.
Applicants must demonstrate a professional artistic practice, provide evidence of previous artistic projects, and speak French and either English or Arabic. They must be capable of traveling independently and participating in an international residency outside their usual place of residence.
Selected applicants must also be available throughout the entire residency period, without conflicting professional commitments. For collaborative applications, the duo must submit one joint application.
Program Benefits & Awards
Selected artists receive the following support for a one-month residency:
- Monthly subsistence allowance: €1,000 for individual projects or €1,600 for duo projects (€800 per artist).
- Travel support: Reimbursement or coverage of travel expenses between the artist's place of residence and Villa Salammbô, up to €350 per selected artist.
- Accommodation: Access to an independent villa featuring two bedrooms, a kitchen area, a living space, a bathroom, and a tree-filled garden.
- Artistic support: Guidance and assistance from the French Institute of Tunisia and its partners.
- Professional networking: Opportunities to connect with Tunisian artists and cultural professionals.
- Public visibility: An end-of-residency presentation or sharing activity, potentially including meetings, workshops, and other exchanges with the local community.
The subsistence allowance is intended to cover living expenses during the residency. It is not a production grant, and the call does not specify a separate budget for producing artworks.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 18 October 2026
- Selection results: Expected at the end of October 2026.
- Residency duration: One month.
Applicants should consult the official website for updates concerning the selection announcement and residency schedule.
Location
Sousse, Tunisia
Additional Details
Applications are assessed by a selection committee according to the applicant's professional background, the quality and originality of the proposed project, its relevance to the Tunisian context, the proposed collaboration with local partners, and any existing professional contacts in Tunisia.
The residency prioritizes research, exchange, and artistic development rather than direct production funding. Applicants should therefore present a realistic research and creation plan that can be developed during the one-month stay.