The Polygon Gallery, Griffin Art Projects, and Cité internationale des arts join forces, with the support of The Embassy of France in Canada and the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, to launch a curatorial residency program, alternating annually for four years between Paris and Vancouver.

The aim of this program is to provide opportunities to develop curatorial projects and foster cultural exchange in response to contemporary art contexts in France and Western Canada respectively.

The inaugural program will launch in October 2021, with a three-month residency at the Cité internationale des arts, in the Marais district of central Paris.

1. The Residency

The Residency provides:
• Expenses for a round trip from the resident’s home to Paris, with additional travel funds in France to a maximum of $2,500
• A stipend of $2,000 per month for 3 months
• A production budget of $3,000
• A furnished studio that includes a work and living space (living room/workspace, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen) and is equipped with Wi-Fi.

The Resident will benefit from support from the team at Cité internationale des arts and the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris, who will provide assistance in the research and development of the curatorial project.

The Resident will also benefit from the unique environment of the Cité internationale des arts, being in residence alongside more than 300 artists of all disciplines (visual arts, live performance, music, cinema), nationalities, and generations.

2. Eligibility

The Residency is open to Canadian curators living in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon. Artists and writers who have a curatorial practice are eligible.

Applicants must propose a curatorial project describing the research and approach that they intend to develop.

The project can involve collaborations with cultural partners across France such as institutions, art centres, research centres, artists, and cultural associations.

3. How to Apply

The online application form can be accessed here or at the bottom of this page. Application packages will also include the following documents (in PDF format only, in a single file):
• Summary of one or more recent curatorial projects, including either 10-15 images, or 5 images and a maximum of 3 audio files and/or video links.
• Resume
• Statement of intention outlining research directions and interests that the applicant wishes to explore during the residency (2 pages maximum)
• Text (1 page maximum) or a short video (3 minutes maximum) about the curatorial approach and reasons for applying to the residency
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Maximum file size is 10 megs.

4. Selection

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview with the jury, which is comprised of representatives of The Polygon Gallery, Griffin Art Projects, the Cité internationale des arts, The Embassy of France in Canada and the Canadian Cultural Centre in Paris.

In addition to evaluating the candidate’s visual arts background, the jury will pay particular attention to the quality and feasibility of the project, the need for a residency in Paris, and the work plan. We welcome culturally diverse applicants.

Each applicant will be informed via electronic mail of the status of their application.

Application deadline: June 18, 2021
Notification: July 15, 2021
Residency dates: October 4 to December 27, 2021. Should COVID restrictions in September 2021 prohibit travel the residency will be postponed until early 2022.

Contacts
h.pakasaar@thepolygon.ca
lisa@griffinartprojects.ca