Sculpture Residencies in France

A.I.R. Vallauris

Vallauris, France

A.I.R. Vallauris (Artists in Residence) is a non-profit association located in the heart of old town Vallauris, France, that has welcomed over 500 international artists since its creation in 2001. Now entering its 24th residency season, the program welcomes artists from around the world to its lodgings and studios to meet with local artists and research and create new works in a unique setting. The residency operates in the historic pottery town of Vallauris on the Côte d'Azur, where Pablo Picasso once worked. The program provides an artistic laboratory specifically created for international artists to collaborate with local artists through cultural exchange between participants of different countries, nationalities, and backgrounds. Artists share knowledge, techniques, and experiences while creating new work in an environment conducive to and inspiring for artistic creation. The residency includes multiple program formats: Standard Residency sessions, Atelier Libre, Atelier Tremplin for recent graduates, and NCECA International Residency Awards. Artists participate in exhibitions, including the permanent display 'Invitation au Voyage' showcasing works created by artists from around the world.

Abstract Mag

Côte d’Azur, France

The Abstract Mag Summer Residency is a fully funded, two-week artist residency held in the South of France, providing 50 selected artists with an immersive creative experience. Open to artists working in painting, drawing, graphics, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and textile art, the program offers a chance to explore their practice in an inspiring setting. Participants will stay in a historic château with all expenses covered, including travel, accommodation, meals, and art supplies. The residency features excursions to major art institutions such as the Picasso Museum and Fondation Maeght, fostering cultural and artistic enrichment. At the end of the program, residents will participate in a group exhibition at a partner gallery, with their works featured in a printed publication. Additionally, 50 partnering galleries will consider the residents’ work for future collaborations. The program is designed to support artists in deepening their practice while engaging with a creative community in the culturally rich Côte d’Azur region.

Ecole nationale supérieure des beaux-arts de Lyon (Ensba Lyon)

Lyon, France

The École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Lyon (Ensba Lyon) offers a prestigious Post-graduate Art program, established in 1999. This year-long program selects five artists from various nationalities, providing them with a €4,800 grant, accommodation in a shared apartment at Les Subsistances, and access to all school resources. Participants benefit from personalized support and have opportunities to engage with the cultural structures of the Lyon region. The program fosters high-level education and training, aiming to advance participants’ careers in contemporary art. It operates independently of the university system, offering a certificate of participation instead of a degree.

L’AiR Arts

Paris, France

L’AiR Arts is an international residency program located in Montparnasse, Paris, focused on fostering intercultural exchange through art and research. The program is based at Atelier 11, a historic site that has been a hub for international artists since the 19th century. L’AiR Arts offers residencies to artists and cultural professionals from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, promoting artistic exchange, research, and professional development. Participants engage in both self-directed projects and curated group programs, connecting with local Paris-based professionals, institutions, and galleries. The residency aims to preserve the artistic legacy of the École de Paris while encouraging contemporary creation. Residents have access to studio and living spaces, participate in public programs, and present their work in various formats. L’AiR Arts is dedicated to creating a nurturing environment for artists at all stages of their careers.

La Napoule Art Foundation (LNAF)

Mandelieu-La Napoule, France

La Napoule Art Foundation (LNAF) offers prestigious international residencies at the historic Château de La Napoule in the Côte d’Azur, France. Open to artists of all disciplines and nationalities, the residency provides a unique environment that fosters artistic creation, cultural exchange, and community building. Residents are housed in the Villa Marguerite, which offers private rooms with baths, and stunning views of the sea or gardens. Each resident is provided with a studio space and a stipend, and is encouraged to engage with other artists during communal meals and activities. The residency supports artistic practice through focused work time and provides opportunities for cultural enrichment in one of France’s most artistically inspiring regions. The International Artist Residency takes place twice a year, with additional specific programs for Canadian artists and filmmakers.

Lafayette Anticipations

Paris, France

Since 2020, Lafayette Anticipations has extended its commitment to supporting contemporary creation through the À l’œuvre! Creation Support Programme. This program offers artists a grant, exceptional equipment, and support from the Fondation’s curatorial and production teams, allowing them to explore crucial stages of creation: research, experimentation, and design. The program emphasizes sustainable production practices, providing comprehensive support and resources to the selected artist.

Le Wonder

Bobigny, France

Le Wonder is an artist-run collective and residency space located in Bobigny, on the outskirts of Paris, France. Founded in 2013, it occupies large, repurposed industrial complexes and offers both individual and shared studios along with extensive technical resources. The organization emphasizes independence, experimentation, and collective work across a wide range of disciplines including visual arts, performance, and culinary practices. It fosters a collaborative environment where residents can engage deeply with the local and international art scene. Le Wonder runs a research and creation residency for international and French artists and curators outside the Paris region, focusing on experimentation rather than production. Artists receive financial support and access to comprehensive studio facilities and mentorship from members of the collective. The residency is embedded in a strong network of local art institutions and partners, enhancing artists’ professional development. It is supported by public funding and part of the Arts en Résidence network.

LM Studio

Hyères, France

LM Studio is an independent artist residency and gallery space located in the heart of Hyères, a picturesque town on the French Riviera. The program is open to a wide range of creative practitioners, including visual artists, writers, curators, designers, and art historians. Emphasizing flexibility, LM Studio offers a space for both solitude and community interaction depending on the artist’s preferences. Residents can use the opportunity as a creative retreat, engage with the vibrant local art scene, or present and sell their work in the onsite gallery located on a high-traffic pedestrian street. LM Studio is part of the “Parcours des Arts,” enabling residents to participate in local cultural activities and connect with other creatives and visitors. Artists live and work in a setting that fosters cultural immersion and everyday interaction with the town’s residents. With its strategic location between Marseille and Nice, LM Studio is well connected to major cultural events and institutions such as Villa Noailles. The studio supports a dynamic residency experience rooted in both contemporary practice and local engagement.