The L'AiR Arts Curated Professional Program is specially designed to enable participants to situate their artistic exploration and practice within both the historical and contemporary context of art creation in Paris.
This immersive art residency program offers a stimulating experience of intercultural exchange, research and professional development. Structured as a forum, this residency allows for an emphasis on meeting, connecting and inter-cultural exchange while engaging with the unique history and contemporary scene in Paris. Residents have an opportunity to build lasting connections with the fellow peers and expand their network of Paris-based arts professionals and organizations.
L’AiR Arts grounds its commitment to the contemporary arts within a historical perspective. The program not only provides the opportunity to explore Paris and have a space in which to comfortably stay and work, it also offers an insider’s view into the important role that international artists have played in Paris from the late 19th century to the present day. Located in Montparnasse, known as a historic hub for international artists during the 20th century École de Paris period, the residency program is dedicated to the historical legacy of this prolific period of intercultural artistic exchange.
The program offers a unique opportunity to learn more about the history of the École de Paris while reflecting on the significance of Atelier 11 as central to the international artist community in the past and its renewed role in the future. To foster meaningful encounters and connections, this program provides participants with the opportunity to meet local artists, curators, art historians, and gallerists working in Paris today. Residents also have the opportunity to participate in a facilitated group discussion to exchange ideas and share their work. During this residency, participants explore different artistic neighbourhoods of Paris, visit historic artist studios, many of which are normally closed to the public, as well as art academies and meeting places where the ideas that shaped modern art as we know it were formed.
Residency Eligibility
Residency Experience Summary
Application Information
This program is open to artists and cultural professionals of any age and stage in their career, as we are aiming for a cross-generational mix of professionals working in all media and disciplines.
Candidates from every country of the world are welcomed, however an intermediate level of English is required to effectively interact with others. To attend the program candidate must be sufficiently independent to manage their residency.
Applications may be submitted on an ongoing basis with two deadlines per year – October 31st and April 30th. The submission from the residency candidate must include the following information:
-CV, bio/artist’s statement, and portfolio
-Letter of intent: reasons for applying, project description and objectives
Submissions are reviewed by a committee of international and Paris-based arts professionals. Residencies are awarded upon examination of each application and within the limits of available places.
As L'AiR Arts is a registered not-for-profit organisation, our residency fee only aims to cover the costs, already subsidized by our individual and institutional partners. The program fee (up to €200 per day) covers all the components, from the accommodation, most meals and local transportation, to creative space and curated programming. The exact fee depends on the particular program offer, its duration, accommodation preference and funding support.
Limited scholarship opportunities are available for artists and cultural professionals from less economically developed countries, based on the OECD’s DAC list, as well as artists at risk or in exile.
All selected candidates receive an invitation letter indicating the specific condition of their residency, which can be used to seek further funding from national and international agencies.