Call for 2027 curatorial research fellowship

The grant, worth a maximum of 20,000 euros, consists of:
→ an initial sum of 5,000 euros in royalties, payable to the winner.
→ a second sum of 15,000 euros, subject to validation, to produce the project.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

1 — OBJECT

The Rencontres d’Arles curatorial research grant is aimed at exhibition curators wishing to carry out an original project relating to image or photography. The research and production grant is supported by Jean-François Dubos.

2 — APPLICATION FORM

THE APPLICATION FORM MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE. DEADLINE 30 NOVEMBER 2026:

→ rencontresarles.typeform.com 

THE APPLICATION FORM MUST CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS, IN THE ORDER LISTED BELOW, IN A SINGLE PDF FILE (MAXIMUM 10 MB):

→ a description of the proposed exhibition project for the research grant (maximum 5,000 characters), a list of the works and artists considered for the project (it is strongly recommended that visuals be provided), a provisional research budget (5,000 euros), a research timetable and a provisional budget for the production of the exhibition (15,000 euros) within the allocated budgets.

→ a biography of the curator (or co-curators/collective, where applicable), including educational background, full contact details and a list of the curator(s)’ projects and exhibitions, featuring descriptions and images (in the case of exhibitions) of the various projects carried out by the curator(s).

Texts must be in French or English, ideally both.

3 — RESEARCH & PRODUCTION

PHASE 1 — RESEARCH
→ Once the project has been selected, the curator will receive a grant of 5,000 euros to cover their expenses and royalties.

→ The budget and schedule will be submitted to the management of the Rencontres d’Arles for approval.

→ The curator will be given six months to carry out research, at the end of which they must submit a proposal to the artistic direction team of the Rencontres d’Arles. Following an artistic evaluation, the Rencontres d’Arles will determine whether or not the project is feasible and approve its presentation format (Phase 2). 

PHASE 2 — PRODUCTION & PROJECT CREATION

Following approval, if the project is accepted by the Rencontres d’Arles at the end of the six-month research period, it will move into the creation and production phase and will be supported by the Rencontres d’Arles.

• → The budget of 15,000 euros managed by the Rencontres d’Arles covers:
  – the loan of artworks
  – transport of the artworks to Arles (return journey)
  – production of the artworks: prints/framing, wallpapers, videos, etc.
  – the curator’s invitation and, where applicable, accommodation and expenses for the artists in Arles during the opening week (and/or the exhibition set-up).
  – insurance
  – etc.
• → The curator commits to:
  – select the works that will form the body of the exhibition and determine the rights for their display and reproduction;
  – design and draft an introductory text for the selection of photographs;
  – be present during the festival’s opening week and take part in the guided tour of the exhibition.

In addition to this budget, the Rencontres d’Arles will cover the costs of the exhibition design, the communication, the installation and dismantling of the works, and security.

4 – CALENDAR

→ 16 September, 2026
call for applications

→ 30 November, 2026
deadline for submitting applications

→ end of February, 2027
announcement of the winning projects

→ until summer 2027
phase 1 of research

→ from September to mid-October 2027
presentation of the study, followed by, if approved, phase 2 of the project’s creation.

5 — TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

5.1 — Phases of the project    

PHASE 1
The curator is granted six months’ research time, during which they commit to doing their utmost in the preliminary work for an Exhibition.
From September until mid-October at the latest (date to be agreed at a later date), once the preliminary work has been completed, the curator shall send a file to the jury consisting of:

• An artistic statement in the form of an original text presenting the selection of photographs (2,000 characters, including spaces).
• A selection of works constituting the body of work for the proposed Exhibition
• Details of the rights of display and reproduction relating to the selected works, which may be intended for display and/or reproduction as part of the proposed Exhibition
• A provisional budget setting out the items listed above
• A reverse schedule

The curator will present the file to the jury at a meeting to be scheduled at a later date between September and mid-October 2027. Following this meeting, the Rencontres d’Arles will decide whether to approve the project and will notify the curator by email within six months of the submission of the final version of the proposal.

PHASE 2
Les Rencontres d’Arles has complete editorial and artistic freedom regarding the programming of the Exhibition for any given edition and is therefore free to approve or reject the Exhibition proposal submitted at the end of Phase 1.

→ If the preliminary work is not approved
The curator will be free to organise the exhibition at their own expense with any third party of their choice.

As the Rencontres d’Arles has supported the preparatory work, the curator commits, should the project be presented in another exhibition context, to ensuring that the following is stated on all media: ‘research supported by the Rencontres d’Arles 2027 curatorial research grant’.

→ If the preliminary work is approved
Should the exhibition be scheduled as part of one of the editions of the Rencontres d’Arles, a new contract will be signed between the curator and the Rencontres d’Arles.

5.2 — Assignment of copyright

The curator assigns to the Rencontres d’Arles their rights of presentation and the right to reproduce preliminary work, including the drafting of the accompanying text for the selected photographs, in France and abroad, in all media customarily used by the Rencontres d’Arles. 

Should the preliminary work be approved and the exhibition go ahead, this assignment authorises the Rencontres d’Arles to produce, promote and organise the exhibition.

The curator guarantees to the Rencontres d’Arles the unimpeded enjoyment of the assigned rights, free from any disturbance, claim or eviction whatsoever.

5.3 — Payment of copyright 

In return for the preliminary work carried out by the curator and the associated assignment of copyright, the Rencontres d’Arles commits to paying the curator the sum of €5,000 gross.

It is understood that this remuneration shall remain payable to the curator, even in the event that the research work is not approved at the end of Phase 1, or that the planned exhibition does not take place, and that the organisation of the Exhibition, should it be approved (Phase 2), shall not give rise to the payment of any additional remuneration.
 

THE RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION GRANT RECEIVES SUPPORT FROM JEAN-FRANÇOIS DUBOS.

CONTACT:
Johanna Teston
johanna.teston@rencontres-arles.com
(standard) +33 (0)4 90 96 76 06