Best Artist Residencies in Paris
“An artist has no home in Europe except in Paris.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Paris is renowned as a magnet for artists worldwide, thanks to its profound art history and a dynamic contemporary art scene that harmoniously coexists. Studying in Paris means having access to a vast array of artist residencies, each boasting its unique characteristics and benefits.
PCA students have this incredible opportunity of being a part of high quality artist residencies, through our partnerships with various organizations, such as with l’AiR Arts.
Paris College of Art is thrilled to continue its residency partnership with L’AiR Arts. Our next open call for artists will be for summer 2025 as Atelier 11 is currently under renovation. This call for proposal is open to all our MFA students who qualify for residency once they graduate.
L’AiR Arts* is a not-for-profit organization (une association à but non lucratif soumise à la loi 1901) with a mission to support intercultural exchange through international arts residency programs. Collaborating with leading arts institutions and professionals, their residency programs support intercultural exchange, research, professional development, and creation – while promoting diversity, inclusion, and international understanding through artistic and cultural heritage.
In 2020, L’AiR Arts, in partnership with Cité Falguière Association, has initiated a cultural heritage project of preserving the last remaining atelier of the prominent artists community of Cité Falguière. Once home to Gauguin, Modigliani, Soutine, Foujita, and Brancusi, Atelier 11 Cité Falguière now operates as an International Arts Research Residency, hosting artists and cultural professionals from all over the world. Keeping its original purpose and the name, a new emblematic home for L’AiR Arts, Atelier 11 welcomes local and international professionals for self-directed solo and duo projects, that run in parallel to curated group programs, partner residencies and events open to a broader community.
Benefits: Communal studio/work/meeting space with fully equipped kitchen, multimedia art presentation space, research library on modern and contemporary art, participation in facilitated professional development programming (visits, meetings and other events and activities co-hosted with program partners), one-year membership and invitation to participate in virtual residency projects and exhibitions.
Dependent on funding, the residency may also provide:
- Research grant and/or a production budget.
- Accommodation on site for visiting guest residents (furnished en-suite rooms).
- Flexibility in terms of the duration of the residencies.
If you do not qualify for PCA’s residency partnership with l’AiR Arts, Paris offers many other opportunities, as detailed below:
Cité Internationale des Arts
Since its inception in 1965, the Cité internationale des arts has hosted artists from around the world in residence. It is a living space open to intercultural dialogue, where artists engage with their audiences and meet with other professionals of the artistic and cultural scene. The Cité internationale des arts spans two complementary sites, one in the Marais and the other in Montmartre. In partnership with 135 French and international organizations, it welcomes over 300 artists from all disciplines each month, with stays lasting up to more than 6 months.
Benefits: Private accommodation, coverage of round-trip transportation costs to Paris, a monthly living stipend of 800 euros, artistic and professional guidance.
Poush
In this 20,000m² industrial campus with buildings that date back to the 1920s (formerly owned by the perfumery L. T Piver and now belonging to the Société de la Tour Eiffel), POUSH brings together an impressive array of 250 established and emerging artists that showcases the vitality of the French art scene, enhanced by the work of artists from more than thirty different countries.The artists benefit from studios and additional support with their artistic development, production, administrative matters and communications.
Benefits: Artistic direction, exhibition of the works, meetings with professionals, visibility and administrative, legal and production support.
CENTQUATRE-PARIS
Situated in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, the CENTQUATRE-PARIS serves as a versatile art space that not only accommodates artist residencies but also showcases artistic productions for a diverse audience and artists worldwide. Under the direction of José-Manuel Gonçalvès and his team, this collaborative platform offers inclusive access to a wide range of contemporary arts across all disciplines through an innovative and popular program.
Benefits: Opportunities for studio access, equipment provision, amenities, and presentation, professional support.
Art Explora
The Art Explora Foundation, in collaboration with the Cité internationale des arts, welcomes around twenty residents, artists, and researchers from around the world each year. The program provides these artists and researchers with the opportunity to develop research and creative work in the heart of Paris, in connection with the French artistic and professional scene.The program invites residents to develop a project that addresses contemporary issues, including new technologies, the links between art and science, environmental, political and social issues.
The residency programmes are designed to accompany a project in its entirety or only one stage of it: no rendering is required at the end of the residency.
Benefits: Studio-apartments in Montmartre, 3-6 months residency, a grant of 1,000 euros per month, a production grant of up to 3,000 euros, a round trip to the residence.