The Regional Department for Cultural affairs of the Île-de-France region, the TRAM network, and the Cité internationale des arts have developed Contours, a research-based residency programme aimed at curators and/or art critics working and residing outside of France and its overseas departments, within the European Union, from 2 October to 28 December 2026.
Initiated in 2024, the aim of this programme is to support research and to facilitate mobility and encounters with the French artistic and curatorial art scene, while also supporting projects that can benefit from the community environment provided by the Cité internationale des arts.
The partners are committed to supporting the curators by offering them dedicated support related to their research and providing them with professional networking opportunities in the Île-de-France region.
The programme has no age limit and is open to curators and/or art critics of all nationalities who live outside of France, within the European Union, and can justify at least five years of experience in curatorial practices (minimum of two exhibitions curated and two publications in referenced art media). Collective applications are eligible and will result in the allocation of one live-in studio, the payment of one monthly stipend, one research and travel allowance.
The laureates will benefit from:
- Professional support, networking opportunities, and encounters
- A live-in studio at the Cité internationale des arts in the Marais district, which consists of a single furnished space for both living and working
- A monthly living stipend of 1,000 EUR net of taxes
- Coverage of research fees and international round-trip travel to and from Paris airports, as well as travel insurance and visa fees (subject to a cap and upon presentation of proofs of payment).
