The Institut Français in Paris, the Institut Français of Egypt, in collaboration with Bayt Yakan are launching a call for applications for the artistic residency program Les Ateliers du Nil (Cairo).
Les Ateliers du Nil is a residency program for French artists in Egypt. The program offers three residency periods (two in Cairo and one in Alexandria), with the details outlined below. This call for applications is specifically for the artistic residencies in Cairo. The call for Alexandria will be published at a later stage.
This program is exclusively open to French artists or artists residing in France working in the fields listed below.
Each residency lasts one month and includes three days dedicated to mediation activities (workshops, open studios, lectures, portfolio reviews, etc.) proposed by the resident artist in their application.
Selected artists will receive logistical, administrative, and human support from the Institut français in Egypt and Bayt Yakan structures. The program also facilitates networking opportunities with professionals and cultural institutions in Egypt.
There is a possibility of a post-residency exhibition or a restitution event at the Institut français in Egypt, either in Cairo or Alexandria, depending on discussions between the artist, the Institut français, and the host organization.
Themes and Residency Locations
Cairo : Craftsmanship, Artisanal Practices, and/or Architecture and Heritage
Residencies in Cairo take place at Bayt Yakan, located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, ideal for exploring traditions in craftsmanship, artisanal practices, traditional architecture, and cultural heritage.
- Craftsmanship and Artisanal Practices : Immersion in a rich environment of traditional expertise, such as the turning wood for the creation of mashrabiya, other traditional woodden joineries, mother-of-pearl inlays, carved gypsum windows, and copper engraving.
- Architecture and Heritage : Exploring the architectural diversity of Historic Cairo, and Integrating the historic urban and socio-economic patterns in the contemporary living city. Encountering social values as complementary aspect to the historic and artistic values.
Conditions and Terms
- Duration : 1 month
- Covered expenses : Economy round-trip airfare, accommodation, visa, a residency grant of €1,600, workspace (Cairo only), and a production grant of €500.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, the artist must :
- Be French nationals or reside and work in France.
- Have a professional background (minimum of 3 years) or have completed an art degree.
- Hold a valid passport (at least 3 months beyond the residency).
- Be proficient in French or English (Arabic is a plus).
Application submission : From 5 January to 26 January, 2025
With the support of the Institut français, as part of the “Fabrique des résidences” programme.
