Elles et Cité Residency

The Elles & Cité residency programme aims to facilitate the mobility of mid-career female photographers and support the expansion of their professional network by offering them dedicated support, professional networking opportunities and a three-month residency at the Cité internationale des arts in Paris, along with financial aid.

What is included in the residency programme?

As part of this programme, six three-month residencies are available in 2026.

The residency includes:

• Professional support and networking opportunities with a community of 325 artists in residence, of all nationalities, disciplines and generations, as well as with professional partners, depending on the residency projects;
• a text on each winner’s work written by a professional critic in the field of photography;
• the allocation of a live-in-studio at the Cité internationale des arts (Marais site), with the option to accommodate one adult and one child aged 10 or under;
• a monthly living allowance of €2,000 net of tax;
• the assignment of copyright for a sum of €800 including tax;
• a research and production grant of €1,500 including tax;
• reimbursement of return travel costs between the artist’s home and Paris (subject to a maximum limit).

Who can apply?

To apply, candidates must:

• be a female photographer;
• have at least 10 years’ professional experience in the field of photography;
• reside in France (mainland France and overseas territories) but outside the Île-de-France region;
• not be represented by a gallery based in Paris;
• complete the application form, outlining a research-based creative project.

The programme is open to female photographers working in France, of all nationalities and without age restrictions.

What are the application requirements?

Applications must be submitted using the designated form.

For more information, you can write to: commissions@citedesartsparis.fr

About the Cité internationale des arts

The Cité internationale des arts is the world’s largest residency for artists. Since 1965, it has brought together more than 300 artists of all backgrounds and generations in the heart of Paris, enabling them to carry out creative or research projects across all disciplines (visual arts, music, performing arts, film, architecture, writing, etc.).

For periods ranging from two months to a year, in the Marais or Montmartre, the Cité internationale des arts, a recognised public-interest foundation, offers them an environment fostering creativity, open to encounters with professionals from the cultural sector and the public, along with tailored support.

In collaboration with its numerous partners, it issues several calls for applications each year, based on themes and/or specific projects, and develops targeted residency programmes.

Throughout the year, it devises a rich, multidisciplinary and multifaceted artistic and cultural programme (open workshops, exhibitions, concerts, performances, debates, etc.), highlighting in particular the work of artists who are or have been residents, while affirming the role of the residency as a space for dialogue and experimentation.

Learn more