Residencias para artistas en el Castillo Vassivière Island. Francia

The Centre international d’art et du paysage is launching in October 2012, a new programme of artists' residencies in the Castle on Vassivière Island, recently renovated by architects Berger&Berger and BuildingBuilding. The renovation project was financed by the Limousin Region and the Ministry of Culture and Communication – Limousin Region Cultural Affairs Office (DRAC).

The singular history of Lake Vassivière, the striking character of this artificial island's landscape, the cultural assets of the Limousin Region and the superb renovation of this new space combine to provide a remarkable setting for artists and researchers, for reflection and experimentation.

The castle – home to the artists' residency programme organised by the art centre as a complement to the exhibitions and the Sculpture Wood – is intended to foster inspiration and the shaping of projects in a time frame marked by shifting seasons and climates.

Artists and researchers seeking a residency are invited to submit a research and creation project linked to the landscape and/or the history of the Art Centre site.

Residencies are granted for seasons of four months (16 weeks). Each season is open to three residents who are free to work together should they so desire.

For the year 2012-2013 the residency calendar is as follows:

1st Season: 26 October 2012 – 17 February 2013 (final application date: 4 October 2012)

2nd Season: 25 February – 16 June 2013

3rd Season: 24 June – 13 October 2013

The residencies are open to three artists and/or researchers applying separately or as a group in the following domains:

• Visual arts: Professional visual artists, for a research and experimentation project preparatory to an exhibition in another venue, or wishing to explore new work methods and emphases.
• Writing: Writers, anthropologists, art critics, storytellers, philosophers, etc. are invited to apply with an experimentally-inflected writing and research project – possibly in association with a publisher, university, theatre, festival, etc.
• Other disciplines: Landscapers, designers, ethnobotanists, musicians, choreographers, etc. are invited to apply with a research and creation project, possibly as part of a coproduction with another cultural body, university, art school, etc.

Selection process

Selection will hinge on the relevance of the applicant's project.

The panel will be made up of representatives of the Art Centre and its financial partners (Limousin DRAC, Limousin Region), and independent professionals.

www.ciapiledevassiviere.com/en/residence_artiste.aspx