On February 8, 2025, on the occasion of the Paris Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence, the French Ministry of Culture announced the launch of the new residency program “The Arts in the Age of AI” supported by Villa Albertine, the Institute for Culture and Education of the French Embassy in the United States. Its ambition is to stimulate dialogue between art and artificial intelligence, while fostering collaboration between the French and American cultural ecosystems. 

Between January and December 2026, four creators or cultural professionals with a project related to artificial intelligence will benefit from a two-month research and exploration residency in the United States. This program is set to continue in 2027 with four additional residencies, bringing the total number of two-year residencies to eight. 

The call for applications runs until March 25. It is aimed at candidates wishing to work on or with artificial intelligence, whose project requires an immersion stay in the United States. This residency can be the research ground for a creative project involving AI and an American ecosystem, or an opportunity to take a look at the impact of AI in a specific American context. Creators will have to set their project in a clearly identified territory, and will be supported by the Villa Albertine branch in the territory concerned, from among the following ten cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, New Orleans, San Francisco and Washington DC. The Villa Albertine office will provide individual support tailored to the needs of each resident, including upstream prospecting to identify the most relevant local contacts, a program of meetings and visits, and an analysis of the logistical requirements needed to successfully carry out the project. 

The call is not restricted to French or French-speaking people, but is open to any creator, researcher or cultural professional who meets the following eligibility criteria: be over 21 years of age before the planned date of departure for the residency; demonstrate professional experience in the field of artistic and intellectual creation and its link with artificial intelligence; and be fluent in English. 

Applicants must also include a French partner in their residency project. Any public or private organization under French law and based in France is accepted (cultural institution, association, publishing house, etc.). The partner's support can be of three kinds: designing the residency project, promoting the residency, or carrying out a post-residency component. The winners will be announced in mid-June 2025. 

This residency program is carried out in partnership and with the support of Franco-American digital entrepreneur and philanthropist Fidji Simo.