Centre d’arts Fernand Léger

Every year, 3 to 5 visual artists are invited to work on projects that are closely linked to the local area (through its history, geography, sociology, and so on). These projects also involve collaborations and partnerships with local structures such as Voyons Voir and Manifesta 13. All creative disciplines are welcome (drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, etc.). Workshops and accommodation are set up at the heart of the structure, enabling artists to fully immerse themselves in the projects. Each programme culminates in local meetings, workshops for both adults and children, with the resident artists, as well as a final exhibition. These residencies are either the result of open calls (e.g. ‘New collectors’, an annual call for applications) or one-off invitations, and are divided into ‘classic residencies’ and ‘micro-residencies’, depending on their duration.

© Julien Lamarre

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Artists participating in the ‘classic’ residency programme receive a grant of €1,900 for 30 consecutive or non-consecutive days, corresponding to time spent on personal creation and one-off events during which artists open their studios to the public. A budget of €1,000 is earmarked for artistic creation and production costs. 
Up to a maximum of €500 is allocated to cover food expenses and travel costs, for which artists must provide supporting documentation or invoices. 
Copyright fees are covered separately.
Specific workshops led by artists with the public are remunerated separately. 
Artists participating in the ‘micro-residencies’ scheme receive a grant of €950 for approximately 15 consecutive or non-consecutive days, corresponding to time spent on personal creation and one-off events during which artists open their studios to the public. 
A budget of €1,000 is allocated for artistic creation and production costs. 
Up to a maximum of €500 is allocated to cover food expenses and travel costs, for which artists must provide supporting documentation or invoices. 
Specific workshops led by artists with the public are remunerated separately. 
Copyright fees are covered separately.
Resident artists are provided with a living space (bedroom, studio, kitchen, bathroom) within which the essentials are provided (beds, desks, wardrobes, internet connection, etc.). The accommodation provided is in no way a classic hotel structure (artists are required to bring their own personal effects such as bedding and toiletries).
Artists have the opportunity to share the art school's 130 m2 studio for collective work. An exhibition space of around 200m2 is entirely dedicated to their final work. Artists are invited to bring their own materials, although basic equipment is available on site (paper, pencils, paint, brushes and so on). The provision of specific equipment is included in the budget earmarked for artistic production.
The art centre’s staff are on hand to provide technical and scientific support to resident artists, to establish contacts with the local population and to encourage exchanges. They are also on hand to set up the exhibition (the art centre’s teams and local authority technical services where appropriate) and to conduct tours of the exhibition.
The arts centre is also responsible for the following: communication, any publications, promotion (press relations, networking, etc.), insurance during the exhibition period, any workshops/training courses run by artists for young people or adults (paid at €60/hour), as well as any scheduled talks (paid at a rate of €300).

DURATION

Depending on the type of residency scheme (‘classic residencies’ or ‘micro-residencies’), the programmes at the Fernand Léger arts centre can last from 15 days and up to a maximum of 3 months. Artists can participate in the programmes over a period of consecutive days or they can spread the residency time over a given period. 

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications depend on the type of scheme for which the artist wishes to apply, which depends on art centre’s projects:
— by call for applications (around 2 are published per year);
— by invitation (approximately 2 per year).
In both cases, artists are required to provide:
— a CV;
— a portfolio;
— a cover letter;
— proof of insurance for the duration of the residency.
Where possible, a visit of the studio is also scheduled.

Residencies based on open calls for applications:
For specific projects during the year, such as the ‘Heritage Days’ (as part of the ‘New Collectors’ scheme, for example, which involves helping a dozen volunteers who are new to the art world in choosing an artist) and the Printemps de l'art contemporain (a contemporary art festival typically organised in late spring), targeted calls for applications based on the themes addressed are issued, in order for the work of new artists to be discovered.

Residencies by invitation:
This involves inviting artists who are already known and identified for certain projects or chosen themes of work. From 2014 to 2025, for example, all artists involved in the TALENT'ARTS programme were invited to take part in residencies after being spotted at exhibitions or art schools in the local area. Since 2022, they have been part of the ARTORAMA Région Sud showroom and the “La Relève” scheme.

CONSIDERATION FOR RESIDENTS' FAMILY LIFE

The art centre can accommodate families of up to 3 people: it has two small rooms with a total of three single beds (please note that the two rooms are not on the same floor). Please note that the art centre cannot provide any specific furniture for infants or young children. As the accommodation is within the arts centre itself, there is no dedicated lounge area for residents.
The residency schedule is flexible and can be adapted to the family life of the residents, depending on the schedule of other residents during the year. The residences are open to pregnant people. To make it easier for such individuals, the art centre can put them in touch with local professionals (gynaecologists, midwives and so on).

RESIDENTS' COMMITMENTS

Resident artists undertake to produce a body of work that will be the subject of an exhibition at the end of the programme. They undertake to participate in the setting up and taking down of the exhibition.
They undertake to remain available, in accordance with a timetable that they themselves have drawn up, for any meetings and events with the general public (presentation of work in progress during visits, introductions to key individuals, meetings with journalists, and so on).
They undertake to take good care of the equipment and premises made available to them and to respect the rules of community life (immediate proximity with the art school, etc.).

ACTIVITIES AIMED AT THE PUBLIC 

A range of outreach activities are put in place to raise awareness of the Centre d'arts Fernand Léger's residency programmes amongst its various target audiences. These activities are seen as a privileged opportunity to meet those involved in contemporary creation.

Activities in relation to the residency programme:
— research phase:
Meetings organised with key individuals (both adults and children), the objective of which is to provide artists with information essential to their creative work. These may take the form of group workshops or individual meetings.
— creation phase:
Studio visits are organised, providing artists with the opportunity to explain their approach and present their work in progress. These visits may be organised for adult groups, art professionals, journalists, groups of young people involved in rehabilitation schemes, partner cultural structures, and also school groups, notably through the EAC scheme ‘La Joconde va de l'atelier au musée’ (The Mona Lisa goes from the studio to the museum).

Complementary activities (subject to additional financial support):
— courses, workshops or masterclasses for young people and adults, the objective of which is to pass on specific practical know-how related to the residency;
— meetings are also regularly organised with the resident artists to provide more theoretical and formal insights into the essence of the work undertaken.

During the exhibition:
Group visits organised by the art centre's staff, during which the artist’s presence is not required.