Arts at CERN

Resonance welcomes applications from Geneva-based artists and collectives over the age of 18. The call encourages applications from artists whose work resonates with the following ideas:

• dialogue with science: artists wishing to deepen their connection with the field of physics by engaging in meaningful dialogue with scientists, engineers and staff at CERN.
• cultural significance: artists interested in exploring the role of fundamental science and technologies as central themes in society.
• collaborative processes: artists who demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively and flexibly across disciplinary boundaries.

Resonance grants an artist or an artist collective a fully funded two-month residency at CERN, comprising the following conditions:

• a grant of 15 000 Swiss francs for the research and development of the proposal;
• a monthly stipend of 5000 Swiss francs while at CERN.

The selected artist or collective is expected to:

• be present at CERN from Monday to Friday as part of the Resonance programme;
• meet scientists, engineers and staff from CERN, and spend time at experiments according to the arranged residency schedule;
• communicate regularly with the Arts at CERN team throughout the residency to develop their research, and continue post-residency to ensure the production of the new work.
• submit a residency report no later than two months after the end of the residency.

• The deadline for applications is 13 January 2025 (by 11.59 p.m. CET, UTC+1).
• Announcement of the results of the call: March 2025.
• Period of the residency: September–October 2025 (dates can be further discussed with the Arts at CERN team).

Artists intending to apply to the Resonance residency should complete the online form on this website in either English or French. The application includes:

• personal details: name, address, contact details
• an artist or collective’s biography (maximum 500 words).
• an artist dossier with the most relevant artworks or projects.
• a project proposal consisting of:
  – project description (maximum 1200 words) that describes the project you intend to undertake during the residency at CERN. The scope of this proposal should include a research period of two months at CERN and proposal for an artistic production following the residency.
  – project summary (maximum 300 words)
  – project motivation (maximum 600 words) that outlines your motivation to apply for this residency and your interest in the CERN community and context in relation to your artistic practice.

The proposals will be reviewed by a jury of art and science experts according to the following criteria:

• the innovative nature of the proposal, as regards both the residency and its outcomes and final production;
• the originality and pertinence of the proposal with respect to the scientific and cultural research undertaken at CERN;
• the potential for the two-month residency to lead to the production of an artwork.

The jury’s decision is final and is not open for discussion. Accepting the Resonance residency constitutes acceptance of these conditions.