Art & Environment Prize 2026 — an international residency in France, featuring an exhibition and support from Guerlain
For many artists, working with nature, ecology, time, and materials is not a separate theme but the foundation of their entire practice. Art & Environment Prize offers more than an opportunity to submit a project to a competition. It provides space to develop new work in one of the most renowned artistic centres in southern France. The winner receives a residency in Arles, professional support, and the opportunity to present the results of their work in a solo exhibition.
The prize was created by Lee Ufan Arles in partnership with Maison Guerlain and is now entering its fourth edition. The organisers are interested in projects that offer new perspectives on the relationship between people and their environment, exploring natural processes, materials, long-term temporal cycles, and contemporary ecological challenges through artistic practice.
What the Winner Receives
The Art & Environment Prize laureate receives:
— a residency in France lasting from 6 to 8 weeks
— workspace and production support for the project
— accommodation in Arles during the residency
— guidance and support from the Lee Ufan Arles team
— meetings with artists, curators, and representatives of cultural institutions
— a solo exhibition in summer 2027 at one of the Lee Ufan Arles venues
For many artists, the most valuable aspect of the programme is the opportunity to work on a project in a focused research environment while building professional connections within the international art community.
Who Can Apply
The programme is open to artists of all nationalities, all ages, and all artistic disciplines. Applications are welcome from practitioners working in visual art, installation, photography, video art, sculpture, interdisciplinary practices, and other contemporary formats.
No degree is required. However, the organisers expect applicants to have an established professional practice and exhibition experience. According to the programme guidelines, the future laureate must have at least one solo exhibition and one or more group exhibitions.
What Kind of Projects Are the Organisers Looking For
Art & Environment Prize supports projects related to nature, the environment, materials, ecology, time, and contemporary forms of interaction between humans and the world around them. Particular attention is given to works that offer new perspectives on familiar processes and create dialogue between art, society, and nature.
The organisers are not only interested in environmental themes in the narrow sense. They also value philosophical depth, originality of approach, quality of research, and the artist’s ability to explore a chosen subject through their own practice.
What Materials Are Required for the Application
To apply, participants must prepare:
— a short project description of up to 500 characters
— a detailed project concept of up to 4,000 characters
— a PDF presentation of the project with illustrations and a description of the concept
— a PDF artist dossier including a CV and portfolio of up to 15 pages
All materials must be prepared in English or French. Applications are submitted through the official online application form.
Why Consider Art & Environment Prize
Many international open calls offer either an exhibition opportunity or short-term financial support. Art & Environment Prize focuses on the creative process itself. Artists receive time, space, professional guidance, and the opportunity to develop a project through dialogue with a place, experts, and cultural institutions.
For artists working with research-based practices, environmental themes, and long-term projects, this is one of the most compelling international residency opportunities in France, combining the support of a major cultural institution with one of the most recognised French brands in the fields of art and culture.
The deadline for applications is 31 July 2026.
