Organizer Information
The City of Nantes is a major cultural actor in western France, recognized for its sustained investment in contemporary art, public programming, and artist support initiatives. Through its cultural policies, the city actively fosters artistic creation, experimentation, and accessibility, integrating art into urban life and civic engagement. Nantes has built a strong reputation as a creative hub, hosting institutions, festivals, and residency programs that contribute to both national and international artistic discourse.
This residency program is part of the city’s broader commitment to supporting local artists through financial assistance, workspace provision, and opportunities for public engagement. By prioritising research and experimentation, the initiative aligns with Nantes’ long-term strategy of nurturing innovative practices in the visual arts.
Title & Description
Call for Visual Arts Creation Residency Nantes 2027
The City of Nantes invites applications for its annual research-creation residency program dedicated to visual artists. This opportunity is designed to support artistic experimentation by offering time, space, and financial resources for the development of new work.
Each year, two artists (or one artist duo) are selected to undertake a one-month residency focused on research and creative exploration. The program emphasises process over final output, encouraging artists to engage deeply with their practice without the pressure of producing a finalized exhibition-ready body of work.
During the residency, artists are expected to share aspects of their creative process with the public. This may take the form of open studios, presentations, discussions, or other formats tailored to the nature of the project. The aim is to foster dialogue between artists and audiences while providing insight into contemporary artistic methodologies.
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Drawing
- Installation
- Photography
- Video Art
- Performance Art
- Hybrid / Interdisciplinary Practices
Eligibility
- Open to artists residing or having a studio within the Nantes metropolitan area
- Applicants may apply individually or as a duo (only one project selected if applying as a duo)
- Applicants must have an up-to-date administrative status, including:
- INSEE registration (France-specific professional identification)
- Bank account details matching the declared address
- The selection committee will pay attention to gender parity
- Artists must present a coherent and ambitious artistic project aligned with their professional trajectory
Program Benefits & Awards
- Residency grant of €2,500 per artist
- One-month residency period dedicated to research and creation
- Access to a workspace in Nantes
- Opportunity to engage with the public through presentations or open formats
- Institutional support and visibility within Nantes’ cultural ecosystem
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV (maximum 1 double-sided page)
- Project Proposal (maximum 3 pages)
- Portfolio (maximum 10 pages with visuals of previous work)
- Bank Account Details (RIB) matching the applicant’s address
- INSEE Registration Document
Important technical requirements:
- All documents must be submitted in PDF format
- File naming must follow strict guidelines (e.g., NAME_CV, NAME_portfolio)
- Total email attachment size must not exceed 6 MB (multiple emails allowed if needed)
- Incomplete or incorrectly formatted applications will be automatically rejected
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 5 May 2026
- Residency Period: Throughout 2027 (exact dates to be confirmed)
Location
Nantes, France
Additional Details
- Only complete applications respecting all administrative and formatting requirements will be reviewed
- Projects are evaluated based on:
- Artistic originality and ambition
- Relevance to the artist’s overall practice
- Artists must be prepared to present their work-in-progress to the public
- The residency strongly emphasizes research and experimentation, rather than production of finalized works
- Administrative consistency (matching addresses across documents) is strictly enforced