[OPEN CALL] ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM IN PARIS 2026-2027

The Artist in Residence (AIR) program in Paris 2026-2027 is a bilateral residency program organized by the Chishima Foundation for Creative Osaka, the Institut français du Kansai and the Kyoto Art Center within the framework of the program Institut français x Cité internationale des arts. This program aims to support one artist, researcher, and curator living or working in the Kansai region in developing their practice while engaging with the French cultural, social, and artistic environment.

The selected applicant will benefit from the support of the partner institutions for a three-month research residency in a live-in studio located at the Cité internationale des arts, in central Paris.

■ Location
Cité internationale des arts (Marais site)

■ Period
From January 8th to April 6th, 2027

■Number of successful applicants
One artist will be selected for this open call.
Group applications are not accepted.

■Profile
– individuals based and working in the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka, Shiga, Nara, Wakayama, Hyogo)
– individuals active as artists, curators, or art critics
– all artistic disciplines are eligible
– all nationalities are accepted
– Students are not eligible (applications are accepted if studies are completed by the start of the residency)

■ Support during the residency program
– A live-in studio at the Cité internationale des arts (Marais site)
– Round-trip direct economy class flight tickets between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)
– A grant of 3,000 EUR to cover living expenses and research/production costs [Note: The payment will be made in Japanese yen, and the amount paid will be equivalent to 3,000 EUR based on the exchange rate at the time of payment.]

All other expenses must be covered by the applicant. 

The selected applicant must have valid insurance for the duration of the residency.
A deposit of €200 for the live-in studio will be required prior to arrival at the Cité internationale des arts.

■ Conditions of application
–Applicants must be able to work at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris.
–Applicants must be able to communicate effectively in English in a professional context.
–Applicants must be able to participate in a reporting session or event in Kyoto after their stay in Paris.

■ Application file
Applicants must submit:
– application form in English and in Japanese
– portfolio 
– detailed description of the residency project (2 pages max.). The research project must be connected to the context of the Cité internationale des arts.

Please send your application by email including all required documents to:
airprogramparis@institutfrancais.jp
AND grant@chishima-foundation.com

Deadline: June 12th, 2026 at 6 pm (Japan time)

■ Selection procedure
– First screening: file screening from June 15th to June 22nd, 2026
– Second screening: online interview: from June 23rd to July 3rd, 2026

Results will be communicated to all applicants after the final selection.

■ Selection criteria

– Relevance of the applicant’s need to stay in Paris, or to use Paris as a base for their activities

– Intention to develop an international practice

– Limited prior experience in international production or residency programs

>> Download the application file <<

A public information session will be held on Thursday, May 21st from 6:30-8:00 pm at Kyoto Art Center.
A talk by 2025-selected artist Tomoko Hayashi will be held to share insights on their residency experience.

>> Register to the information session here <<

■ Questions about the application and the program
Please send an email to both addresses below:

airprogramparis@institutfrancais.jp
AND grant@chishima-foundation.com