Talents Contemporains 2026: Water Art Competition

Talents Contemporains is the international art competition of the Fondation François Schneider, an art foundation in Wattwiller, in the Alsace region of France, entirely dedicated to the theme of water. Every year, the foundation invites visual artists of all nationalities to submit existing works or new projects that fundamentally relate to water. For the 16th edition, the call is open from 23 September to 22 November 2026.

Up to seven laureates each receive €15,000, and their works join the foundation's collection. Sculpture and installation projects can also receive a production budget of up to €50,000.

Who Can Apply to Talents Contemporains?

Visual artists of all nationalities, of legal age, with a solid professional background, such as an art-school degree, and a recent, continuous track record over the past five years. It is particularly relevant to:

• Painters, sculptors and installation artists working with water as subject or material
• Photographers and video artists with a project about rivers, seas, rain or ice
• Textile and drawing artists exploring ecology and landscape

Performing arts and music are not eligible.

What Can You Submit?

Existing works are accepted in all visual disciplines: painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, photography, video, textile and other visual arts. Projects still to be produced are accepted only for sculpture and installation proposals that need a production budget.

Entry Fees

The official page does not mention an application fee. Check the rules when you apply.

What Do Laureates Receive?

• €15,000 each for four to seven laureates, as a merit prize that also covers the acquisition of the work
• €8,000 for photo or video works produced in editions
• Up to €50,000 production budget for sculpture or installation proposals
• A group exhibition at the Wattwiller Art Centre, with a bilingual publication and a video portrait

Submission Requirements

• A registration form with the signed rules and a copy of a valid ID
• A CV of up to two pages
• A portfolio of up to 20 pages
• A statement of intent of up to two pages
• 3 to 5 colour visuals of the proposed work
• For sculptures and installations, a one-page technical sheet, plus a production budget for project proposals
• For video works, an excerpt

Why Apply?

Few art prizes combine this level of cash, collection acquisition and production funding. The theme is specific but open: water can be ecological, political, poetic or purely material. The long selection process also means your work is seen by several committees of curators and experts.

How to Make a Strong Application

Make the relationship with water central, not decorative. The statement of intent should explain in clear language why water matters in your practice and how the proposed work addresses it. Keep the portfolio focused: the strongest recent works, presented with good photography and full captions. For production proposals, a realistic budget and technical sheet show the jury that the project can actually be built.

About the Foundation

The Fondation François Schneider is based in Wattwiller, at the foot of the Vosges mountains in Alsace. Its collection, exhibitions and residencies are all built around water, making it one of the very few art institutions with such a precise focus.

Things to Consider

• Theme: the work must fundamentally relate to water.
• Track record: five years of continuous professional practice.
• Production: only sculpture and installation projects can be unrealised.
• Deadline: 22 November 2026.

Apply to the Open Call

Ready to apply?

Apply to Talents Contemporains

For the full rules and application form, visit the official Fondation François Schneider website.

Looking for more open calls? Browse all competitions and opportunities on Good Stuff Weekly.

Last verified: October 28, 2026