Cité internationale des arts

The Cité internationale des arts, founded in Paris in 1965, is a unique residency institution that brings together artists and creators from around the world in the heart of the French capital. Its founding ethos is rooted in the belief that cross-cultural dialogue and artistic freedom are essential to a vibrant society. The Cité offers studio spaces and living accommodations to artists across all disciplines, enabling them to pursue their work in an environment conducive to experimentation and exchange. Over the decades, it has hosted thousands of artists, many of whom have gone on to significant careers, and it remains a vital hub for international artistic mobility. The institution operates on a residency model that emphasizes process over product, providing time and space for reflection and creation. It is not a grant-making body but a host institution; artists are typically selected by external committees or partner organizations. The Cité's mission is to support the creative process by offering a supportive infrastructure and a community of peers, without imposing thematic or stylistic constraints. Its longevity and global reach have made it a symbol of Paris as a crossroads for artistic practice.