Call for Applications: Immersive Exhibition Grants for Cultural Institutions and Venues

Recently announced at the 2024 Cannes Festival and managed by Villa Albertine and Albertine Foundation, with the support of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and in partnership with the Institut Français, this new grant program aims to support the exhibition of French immersive projects at US cultural institutions and venues.

Following a rigorous selection process by an independent committee, grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to between five and seven projects in the fall that will be exhibited at American venues offering the best experiences to the largest possible audiences. At the end of the year, a fair will be organized bringing together XR professionals from both France and the United States.

French creators and producer can also submit their projects to join an online catalogue, which US cultural institutions and venues can peruse, through this call for submissions here. Learn more below.

This grant is the latest addition to Villa Albertine’s French Immersion program, which supports producers and creators of a range of XR projects and immersive experiences through a variety of actions and grants. The French Immersion program additionally offers grants of up to $2,500 to bring French creators to the United States to present their work at significant festivals. The call for applications for this grant will open at a later time.

For US Cultural Institutions and Venues

The Immersive Exhibition Grants for Cultural Institutions and Venues aims to encourage the distribution of French XR and immersive experiences in the United States, and create a new network of established cultural partners.

Timeline  

• Deadline: September 15, 2024 
• Announcement of Results: Early October 2024 

Eligibility Criteria

Projects meeting the following eligibility criteria will be considered:

• Any U.S.-based venue exhibiting XR and immersive experiences to audiences is welcome to apply for a grant, including cultural institutions, museums, art galleries, cultural and social centers, universities, entertainment venues, movie theaters, etc. Exhibitions can be free or at a cost.
• The experience must be a French creation (French production company or majority co-production).
• Formats: all XR and immersive formats, including 3 DoF, 6DoF, multi-user, immersive projection, 3D mapping, etc.
• Distribution rights for the US market must have been secured.
• The sponsored project must be available in English.

Selection Criteria

The jury will select the best projects based on the following criteria:

• Artistic interest in the production (including festival awards)
• Exhibition potential and outreach strategy (including marketing and local partnerships)
• Business and financial strength
• Projects promoting gender equality, sustainability, and local communities are preferred.

Cultural institutions and venues must apply directly via the form below to be considered for the grant. 

The final decision is made by an independent committee comprised of French and American XR and immersive professionals.

A catalogue of immersive projects by French and France-based creators is available here. 

For French Creators

Villa Albertine invites producers and creators of French productions (or majority co-productions) to share their XR projects through this call for submissions here. An online catalogue will present their works to US cultural institutions and venues, which may include them in their grant projects. The catalogue will be continually updated.

Timeline

Deadline : June 30, 2024

For any questions regarding the program or the application process, please contact:   

Camille Jeanjean, 
Program Officer, New Media