Contours Residency

Funding: Monthly stipend, accommodation, travel and research support
Location: Paris, France
Residency Dates: 2 October – 28 December 2026
Application Deadline: 5 July 2026

Contours is a research-based residency programme for curators and art critics developed by the Regional Department for Cultural Affairs (DRAC Île-de-France), the TRAM contemporary art network, and the Cité internationale des arts.

Launched in 2024, the programme supports curatorial research, professional mobility, and engagement with the French contemporary art ecosystem. The residency is designed for curators and art critics based within the European Union and outside France who wish to develop a research project while building connections with artists, institutions, and cultural practitioners across the Île-de-France region.

Following an international selection process, two curators and/or art critics will be selected for the 2026 edition.

What the Residency Offers

Selected participants will receive:

• A live-in studio at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris’ Marais district
• A monthly living stipend of €1,000 (net)
• Professional support, networking opportunities, and introductions organised by programme partners
• Coverage of research expenses
• International return travel to and from Paris
• Travel insurance and visa fee support (subject to limits and proof of payment)

Residents will be required to submit a final report at the conclusion of the programme.

Eligibility

The programme is open to curators and/or art critics who:

• Live within the European Union and outside France
• Can demonstrate at least five years of professional experience
• Have curated a minimum of two exhibitions
• Have published at least two texts in recognised art publications
• Wish to engage with the artistic community of the Cité internationale des arts and the wider Paris contemporary art scene

There is no age limit.

Collective applications are eligible; however, successful collective applicants will receive one studio, one stipend, and one travel/research allowance.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by a jury composed of representatives from the programme partners.

Particular attention will be given to:

• The quality and relevance of the applicant’s professional background
• The strength of the proposed research project
• The value of undertaking the research in Paris and the Île-de-France region
• The proposed work plan
• Existing contacts, collaborations, or partnerships relevant to the project

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

• CV (maximum 4 pages)
• Portfolio of recent curatorial projects (maximum 15 pages)
• Statement of intent (maximum 3 pages) outlining the research project, motivations for applying, and the relevance of undertaking the residency in Paris and at the Cité internationale des arts

All documents must be submitted in either French or English.

Recommendation letters are optional.

Accommodation

Residents will be based at the Cité internationale des arts in the Marais, an international residency centre hosting more than 300 artists and cultural practitioners from diverse disciplines and backgrounds.

Studios range from 25–40m² and include a workspace, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area. Studios can accommodate up to two adults and one child under the age of 10. Additional fees apply for accompanying persons and visitors.

Please note that the current residency facilities do not yet meet full accessibility standards for people with disabilities.

Key Dates

Applications Open: 4 June 2026
Application Deadline: 5 July 2026
Results Announced: August 2026
Residency Period: 2 October – 28 December 2026