Paris Residency

for New York City-based visual artists

photo: Benh LIEU SONG, licensed under Creative Commons

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office of the City of Paris (Marie de Paris), to provide New York City artists with the opportunity to live and work at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, France.

LMCC’s partnership with the Mayor’s Office of the City of Paris began in 2002 when they reached out to LMCC as a gesture of fellowship following 9/11. Since then, LMCC has sent 10 New York City artists to Paris, approximately one each year.

The Paris Residency builds on LMCC’s history of creating opportunities for artists to both have new experiences and develop new work. The Paris Residency is a self-guided and self-motivated experience. Artists selected for the Paris Residency are encouraged, and should be prepared, to seek out a community, facilities to produce work, and experiences they would not have without this opportunity.

Beyond facilities-related assistance with the live/work space, there is no hands-on support provided by the Cité. There are no organized open studios or group activities. There are possibilities to exhibit work, but it must be worked out directly between the artist and the Cité.

The Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris is situated in the heart of the Marais district, a dynamic quarter swarming with art galleries, a favorite destination for Parisians. Residents may pursue their artistic practice and develop their creative techniques for the duration of their stay at the Cité Internationale des Arts. The site includes 270 individual live/work spaces as well as an exhibition area where artists can display their works and an auditorium where they can perform concerts. Since its opening in 1965, the Cité Internationale des Arts has accommodated more than 18,000 artists from all over the world.