About this opportunity
A residency in Paris can change the arc of an artistic practice, and this one is open wide. The Art Explora Foundation, working with the Cité internationale des arts, hosts about twenty residents each year, artists and researchers from around the world, to develop work in the heart of Paris while engaging with the French art and professional scenes. To date the programme has hosted 145 artists from 59 countries across 12 sessions.
Two tracks are offered. The solo programme gives an individual artist a three or six month residency, and the collective programme gives a group of artists, or an artist paired with a curator or researcher, a three month residency. Applications are open to artists of all nationalities and all ages working in the visual arts, performing arts and digital arts, which makes this realistic for Nigerian and other African practitioners with an exhibiting record.
What residents receive is concrete: a furnished studio apartment of roughly 50 square metres with a bedroom, workspace, kitchen and bathroom; a €1,000 monthly living stipend; a €3,000 production grant; and a round trip to Paris. Alongside that, residents get personalised support on both the curatorial and production sides, mentoring sessions with leading figures from the art world, and introductions into a broad professional network across the French and international scenes.
Selection rests on the quality of the candidate's background and project, with particular attention to how the work engages art and science or contemporary social, political and ecological issues, and how it sits within the French context. Applicants need at least five years of professional experience and an international track record of showing work. Applications opened on 21 September 2026 and close on 30 October 2026. Winners are announced in January 2027 for residencies from March to August 2027, and in June 2027 for residencies from September 2027 to February 2028.
What you receive
- A three or six month residency at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris
- A furnished studio apartment of approximately 50 square metres
- A €1,000 monthly living stipend
- A €3,000 production grant
- A round trip to Paris
- Personalised curatorial and production support
- Mentoring sessions with leading figures in the art world
- Access to French and international professional networks and open studio events
Who can apply
- Artists of all nationalities and ages
- Work in the visual arts, performing arts or digital arts
- At least five years of professional experience
- An international track record of exhibiting work
- A project that engages art and science or contemporary social, political or ecological issues
Who should not apply
- Applicants without five years of professional practice
- Projects with no connection to the French context
- Work outside the visual, performing and digital arts
Documents to prepare
- A written project proposal for the residency period
- A portfolio or documentation of previously exhibited work
- A curriculum vitae showing at least five years of professional experience
- Evidence of an international exhibition track record
How to apply
- Read the open call on the Art Explora residency programme page
- Prepare a project that shows how the work engages contemporary issues and the French context
- Submit the application on the official Art Explora candidacy platform through the application link
- Apply before 30 October 2026, well before the portal closes
Selection process
- Applications are examined by a selection committee of leading figures from art and research
- Review focuses on the quality of the candidate's background and the strength of the project
- Winners for residencies from March to August 2027 are announced in January 2027
- Winners for residencies from September 2027 to February 2028 are announced in June 2027
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Can a collective apply?
Yes. The collective programme supports a group of artists, or an artist together with a curator or researcher, for a three month residency.
Is there an age limit?
No. Applications are open to artists of all nationalities and ages, provided they have at least five years of professional experience and an international exhibition record.
What does the residency pay for?
Residents receive a furnished studio apartment, a €1,000 monthly living stipend, a €3,000 production grant and a round trip to Paris.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
