In a bid to deepen the emergence of artistic talents in Nigeria, The Institut Français du Nigéria, the Embassy of France in Nigeria and the Cité Internationale des Arts are calling on curators and art critics residing in Nigeria with proven professional experience in the artistic field to apply for a 3-month residency in Paris, France.
This 2021 spring edition of the residency is expected to take place between mid-April and mid-July to allow the successful laureate to attend many prestigious cultural events that traditionally take place in France during this period, in all artistic fields.
According to a statement. Ade available to TCN from the organizers, the program aims to support the young generation of Nigerian curators and art critics to develop a curatorial project which emphasizes the link with the French cultural scene and that can find a relevant echo in Nigeria.
“This curatorial residency aims to give an emerging curator/art critic the possibility to develop a curatorial project in relation to a subject or theme in contemporary art today and in connection with the French scene or artists & professionals based in France. The curatorial residency is part of the dynamics of the artist residency program initiated in 2020 by the Embassy of France in Nigeria, in tune with the opportunities offered by residencies at Cité Internationale des Arts.
“The curators/art critics wishing to apply must propose a project describing the research and creation axes they wish to develop. This project should take into consideration the links with Cité Internationale des Arts and the artistic environment of the residency. Resolutely open to the dynamics of working and living together, the curator/art critic will have the possibility to develop collaborations with artists in residency at the Cité and will draw on the resources and collectives spaces provided by the institution.
“Their project may highlight collaborations with cultural structures and partners based in Paris and more widely in France (institutions, art centers, research centres, artists, associations, etc.). In addition, they will be able to give suggestions for envisaged actions for the benefit of the public (inhabitants, associations, school children, visitors, etc.). The project is intended to develop links with other art scenes and research centres from all continents that could be found at Cité Internationale des arts,” the statement said.
The submission of applications for the Residency opened from September 28, 2020, and will run through November 15th, 2020. Online interviews with short-listed candidates will take place between December 1 to 11, 2020, the winner will be notified by mid-December, 2020 while the residency period will run from mid-April, 2021 to mid-July, 2021.
Recall that in 2020, Institut Français du Nigéria, Embassy of France in Nigeria and their Paris-based partner, Cité Internationale des Arts, launched the very first French-Nigerian curatorial residency. Folakunle Oshun, a young Lagos-based curator, was selected among the many high-quality entries received. He was selected to be part of the first edition of the unique 3-month program which is now set to hold yearly.
