THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM
Through its artist residencies, workshops, exhibitions, and cultural events, the Foundation fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and encourages experimentation. Rooted in the history and traditional craftsmanship of the Cognac region, it brings together local and international perspectives to drive projects that bring about change.
The Foundation is convinced that creators have a vital role to play in addressing the current and future transitions in the world around us, and that interdisciplinary dialogue is essential for generating new ideas. It is therefore committed to supporting and fostering a new generation of designers, artists, and researchers by empowering them to address the complex challenges facing our planet and our society through research, experimentation, and creation. Each year, it hosts about fifteen creators of all nationalities, selected through various channels (open call for applications, institutional partnerships, production grants, etc.).
Residents are hosted in Cognac for 4 to 8 weeks in a house in the city center and have access to production studios and the Labo Almanach. The residency budget covers living expenses, a living and research stipend, and a dedicated production budget, as well as transportation and access to the staff cafeteria for lunch on weekdays.
This program aims to offer creators a break that is conducive to carrying out projects requiring time for research and experimentation, as well as production resources. The residencies are open to a variety of creative profiles (designers, researchers, artists, scientists, artisans, collectives) and aim to foster new encounters and collaborations among professionals with similar areas of focus.
Each residency project includes a monthly public event. The residencies are documented in a short film in the form of an interview, showcasing the research work undertaken at the Foundation. Starting this year, the films have been standardized, with a longer format and a rewritten script, so that this tool can accurately convey the content of the residencies and the artistic research.
The Foundation recently decided to open its production workshops beyond the exclusive use of residents in order to introduce the general public to the craft traditions practiced there. Building on the success of the “Baptêmes du feu” (Fire Baptisms) initiated in the glass workshop, the Foundation continues to expand its offerings with new introductory workshops on various craft traditions: cabinetmaking, weaving, and ceramics. ..
These paid workshops are co-developed by the Foundation and local artisans. Offered every two weeks, these sessions last a few hours and take place in a unique setting, with the number of participants limited for safety reasons.
