The prestigious Rencontres d'Arles photography festival has announced the launch of its new Curatorial Research Fellowship program, offering exhibition curators worldwide an opportunity to receive substantial funding for innovative projects. The fellowship provides a maximum grant of €20,000 and is open to all exhibition curators regardless of their location or institutional affiliation.

The selected curatorial project will be developed through a comprehensive two-stage process designed to ensure thorough research and successful implementation. The first stage focuses on research and investigation time, allowing the chosen curator to deeply explore their proposed topic and develop their exhibition concept. Following this initial phase, the second stage involves the actual production of the project, which can only proceed after presentation and formal approval from the Rencontres d'Arles selection committee.

The €20,000 maximum grant is structured as a two-part payment system to support curators throughout the entire project lifecycle. The first component consists of an initial payment of €5,000, which serves as copyright fees and is automatically awarded to the winner of the Rencontres d'Arles Curatorial Award. This initial amount allows curators to begin their research phase and secure necessary permissions for their work.

The second and larger portion of the grant amounts to €15,000, which becomes available only upon approval of the curator's project presentation. This substantial sum is specifically designated for project production costs, but only if the proposed exhibition is accepted for inclusion in the official Les Rencontres d'Arles festival program. This structure ensures that funded projects align with the festival's artistic vision and standards.

Interested curators have until December 1st to submit their applications for consideration. The application process requires candidates to present their curatorial concepts and demonstrate how their projects would contribute to the festival's mission of showcasing innovative photographic work and contemporary visual culture.