NI visual artists invited to apply for artist residency in Frac Grand Large Dunkirk/Hauts-de-France, as part of Magnetic 4

Magnetic 4 has partnered with ten leading institutions in France and the UK. To reinforce relations between the institutions across the Channel, each residency is based on a tandem partnership between a French region and a UK nation. Artists based in a variety of French regions can apply for a residency in one of the UK nations, and vice versa. Tandems will associate CAPC in Bordeaux/Nouvelle-Aquitaine with Wysing Arts Centre in Cambridge/England, Frac Bretagne in Rennes/Brittany with Aberystwyth Arts Centre/Wales, Frac Grand Large in Dunkirk/Hauts-de-France with Flax Art Studios in Belfast/Northern Ireland, Villa Arson in Nice/Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur with Cove Park/Scotland and Bétonsalon – Centre for Art and Research in Paris/Île-de-France with Gasworks in London/England.

Magnetic has been designed to foster artistic development through exchange and to enhance sustainable cooperation between the UK and French visual arts scenes in the longer term. The programme is characterised by several strengths. Societal and environmental issues will be at the heart of the programme, with the ten selected artists expected to respond to specific contexts – geographical or historical, societal, artistic etc.

The level of remuneration for artists is another strength of Magnetic. Artists will receive a threshold monthly fee of 2,500 € / £2,100, as well as curatorial mentoring. Each two-month residency will be tailor-made in discussion with the institutions’ curatorial teams, providing the artist with networking opportunities throughout their stay. Artists will also be provided with accommodation and access to a workspace.

Suzanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added:

“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to collaborate with the Institut Français du Royaume-Uni, our arts funding colleagues across these islands, British Council, the Institut français and the French Ministry of Culture, in this Franco-UK initiative. This important programme offers a valuable opportunity for visual artists from NI to engage with their counterparts in France with the aim of using the arts to connect, exchange and develop a shared understanding through the creation of new work.”

Artists supported so far include: Susie Green, Joshua Leon, Hugh Nicholson, Zoé Williams, Chizu Anucha, Daria Blum, Tom Cardew, Charys Wilson, Emilia Beatriz, Racheal Crowther, Mez Kerr Jones, Robin Price, Lisa Selby and Carla Adra, David Douard, Éléonore False, Azzedine Saleck, Antoine Viviani, Elise Charcosset, Francisco Rodríguez Teare, Laure Vigna, Maxime Voidy, Violaine Barrois, Camille Brée, Donovan Le Coadou, Elsa Prudent, Dorian Teti.

Magnetic is a collaboration conceived by the the Institut français du Royaume-Uni and the four UK arts funding agencies, joined by the British Council, the Institut français and the French Ministry of Culture. Magnetic is produced under the umbrella of Fluxus Arts Projects, a charity founded and run by the Institut and supported by French and UK public partners and private donors. Over the past fifteen years, Fluxus Art Projects has become a marker of notoriety for artists and venues, supporting exhibitions and curatorial research both in France and in the United Kingdom.

Applications open May 20th and close July 14th 2025.

To apply, candidates must submit an artistic proposal outlining the relevance and singularity of their practice and research interests within the context and focus of the host institution and a short text demonstrating their motivation for applying to an international residency at this point in their career and the benefits it will bring.

All applications must be submitted via the Fluxus Art Projects website, where additional information regarding the programme and the ten institutions can be found. https://fluxusartprojects.com/

The Magnetic 4 laureate artists will be announced in October 2025 during Frieze in London.

Residencies will start in Autumn 2025.

For further information contact: fluxusartp@gmail.com

Magnetic is supported by the Institut français du Royaume-Uni, the Institut français, French Ministry of Culture, French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales/Wales Arts International, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the British Council.