Arts and crafts residency with the support of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation

➝ Call for applications open from February 5 at 12pm to May 6, 2024 at 12pm

The French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici is joining forces with the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation to launch a new residency programme for professionals working in the field of art and craft. The Villa Medici is proposing an annual one-month residency programme for 4 craftsmen and/or designers who are winners of the Liliane Bettencourt Prize for the intelligence of the hand by the end of 2023.

The French Academy in Rome – Villa Medici is a national public institution under the authority of the French Ministry of Culture. It has three complementary missions: to welcome high-level artists, creators and art historians in residence for long stays of one year or shorter; to set up a cultural and artistic programme that includes all fields of the arts and creation and that is aimed at a wide audience; to conserve, restore, study and make known to the public its built and landscape heritage as well as its collections.

Villa Medici now wishes to broaden access to its residences to professionals in the art professions in a living and working environment that encourages emulation between artistic disciplines.

The stay at Villa Medici may lead to the production of one or more objects specially designed to resonate with the Villa Medici environment. The production phase can of course be considered at a later stage after the residency.

The resident will also have the opportunity to leave an existing or specially created object at Villa Medici to be displayed in the reception areas.

Selection procedures

  • The call for applications is addressed to arts and craft professionals;
  • Candidates must present a detailed design project specifying the design methods, and if necessary, the identification of production partners in Italy, the technical specifications, a production budget and a timetable for completion.

Selection procedure

  • Opening of the call : Monday 5 February 2024 (French time)
  • Closing : Monday 6 May 2024
  • Announcement in June 2024

Required documents

  • The application form duly completed on the Villa Medici online application platform;
  • A photocopy of both sides of an identity document;
  • Detailed presentation of the residency project (5 pages maximum):
    • research,
    • technical needs,
    • research, technical needs, production schedule,
  • A CV (2 pages max.);
  • A portfolio presenting a selection of past creations (10 pages max.).

The texts must be written in French. All documents must be submitted on the platform in PDF format.

The submission of a file is equivalent to a firm commitment to participate in the residency if the application is selected.

Provisional calendar

  • 1 session in November/December 2024
  • 1 session in March/April 2025
ACCESS TO THE APPLICATION PLATFORM

Conditions of the residency

  • 1 month’s residence at the Villa Medici (Rome, Italy);
  • Provision of a room in shared accommodation;
  • If necessary, access to a shared studio;
  • Access to the working tools made available to the residents of the Villa;
  • Assistance in establishing contacts with local production partners (prior to the residency), artists and companies.

Financial conditions

  • Transport paid for by the Villa Médicis up to a maximum of €1,000 return;
  • Residence grant: €2,500;
  • A production grant may be awarded on the basis of the presentation of a budget in the application file (including, if applicable, a description of the production tools required for the project). Maximum budget: €5,000. The craftsman must undertake to leave the object made at the Villa Medici.



Cover image © Thibaut de Rohan