Arts at CERN

Resonance invites Geneva-based artists aged 18 or over to apply as a pair or as a collective for a two-month residency at CERN.

• 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.

For the purposes of this call, “Geneva” refers to the territory of the Canton of Geneva, comprising all municipalities within the canton, including the City of Geneva. “Based in Geneva” means that individuals and self-employed persons are domiciled in the Canton of Geneva, while legal entities and other constituted structures have their registered office in the canton.

Grand Prix Resonance offers two artists or an artist collective a two-month residency at CERN funded in full, including the following opportunities and support:

• a grant of 30,000 Swiss francs for the research, development and production of the project;
• a monthly stipend of 5,000 Swiss francs for each artist if applying as a duo, or 10,000 Swiss francs per month for a collective, for the duration of the residency;
• curatorial mentoring throughout the residency and during the subsequent production of the artwork.

As part of the Resonance residency, the selected artists or collective are expected to:

• be present at CERN from Monday to Friday;
• meet scientists, engineers and CERN staff, and explore CERN’s facilities through a programme coordinated by Arts at CERN;
• communicate regularly with the Arts at CERN team throughout the residency to develop their research, and continue this dialogue after the residency to ensure the production of the new artwork;
• submit a residency report no later than two months after the end of the residency.

• The deadline for applications is 23 November 2026, 11.59 p.m., UTC+1;
• Panel deliberations and announcement of the results of the call: March 2027;
• Period of the residency: summer 2027 (June–July).

Artists intending to apply for the Resonance residency must submit a proposal that meets the criteria of the call. The application must be written in either English or French and submitted via the online form.

The application must include the following elements:

• information about the person submitting the application (the primary contact): first and last name and contact details;
• biography of the artists or collective (maximum 500 words);
• portfolios of the artists or collective featuring the most relevant artworks or artistic projects;
• project proposal consisting of:
  • a project description (maximum 1,000 words) outlining the project that the artists or collective intend to develop during the residency at CERN. The proposal must provide an overview of how the two-month research period at CERN will unfold, as well as plans for an artwork to be developed following the residency;
  • project summary (maximum 300 words);
  • a cover letter (maximum 500 words) explaining why the artists or collective have chosen to apply for this residency and the nature of their interest in the CERN community, in relation to their artistic practice.

For the Grand Prix Resonance, particular attention will be paid to works that explore digital, multimedia and transmedia practices, including sound-based and immersive approaches.

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

• the innovative nature of the proposal, with regard to both the residency and its outcomes and final production;
• the originality and relevance of the proposal in relation to the scientific and cultural research undertaken at CERN;
• the feasibility of the proposal and the potential for the two-month residency to lead to the production of an artwork.

The jury’s decision is final. Accepting the Resonance residency constitutes acceptance of these conditions.