Call for applications: Fondation d’entreprise Bernardaud (France) 2026 Exhibition
For 23 years, in Limoges, the capital of French porcelain, the Fondation d’entreprise Bernardaud, created by Michel Bernardaud, has organized prestigious international exhibitions of contemporary ceramics at its historic manufacturing site. Countless stars of the global ceramics world have exhibited there over the years.
For the first time, in 2026, the Bernardaud Foundation is launching a call for applications to showcase the young international ceramic scene in order to give visibility to emerging talents.
The call for applications is open to ceramic artists aged 18 to 40 (inclusive), students, and professionals. Applications will close on November 30, 2025, at midnight (Paris time). The results of the selection process will be announced on December 10, 2025.
Exhibition dates: mid-June 2026 / end of March 2027
Exhibition curator: Stéphanie Le Follic-Hadida
Scenograhpy, transportation and communication are managed by the Fondation Bernardaud and its partners.
The application must be submitted to the following email address: exposition@bernardaud.com
To stay informed about the Fondation Bernardaud’s latest updates, please visit its official Instagram account: @fondationbernardaud
Conditions of participation are available on the website: bernardaud.com / “The Maison Bernardaud” / “The Bernardaud Foundation” / “Call for Applications 2026“
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
• Open to international ceramic artists aged 18 to 40 (included).
• Exhibition of a single work (or group of works) to be placed on a pedestal, wall, or floor, OR as an installation.
• Participation is free of charge.
• The Fondation Bernardaud covers round-trip transport of the loaned pieces, but the artist is solely responsible for their transport cases, which must comply with international shipping standards.
• The works are insured nail to nail by the Fondation during transport and while on exhibition.
• Exhibited works may be offered for sale. The Fondation Bernardaud commits not to receive any form of remuneration, direct or indirect.
• For the exhibition opening in June, the Fondation Bernardaud commits to covering round-trip travel between Limoges and Paris (or any other city in mainland France), two nights in a hotel in Limoges, as well as the meals within the Fondation Bernardaud. However, it does not cover international flights.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
• CV (name, copy of ID card or passport, email address, phone number, nationality, postal address, website and social networks, education, exhibitions).
• Description of the proposed work(s) and a statement of the concept.
• 10 high-resolution photos of ceramic or mixed-media works (where ceramics are predominant) created within the last 5 years, with captions (title, date, materials, dimensions, copyright).
• 1 high-resolution photo of the submitted work, captioned (title, date, materials, dimensions, copyright).
• 1 high-resolution color portrait of the artist, captioned (copyright).
why age discrimination ?
This call is specifically aimed at supporting young and emerging artists. The age range is simply part of the eligibility criteria, not discrimination. Other opportunities (over 90% of the ones we promote) are open to everyone or may focus on mid-career and established artists, but this one is dedicated to encouraging new voices and perspectives.
The fact that it’s perfectly possible to be a new voice and an emerging artist with a new perspective over the age of 40 is a very valid and important point ! Age restrictions are discriminatory by definition but the worst thing is the lack of understanding that it’s not always possible for everyone (particularly working class people, women and those from migrant and marginalised communities) to pursue an art practice as a first career so for some, starting a practice in their 50s means they’ll still be emerging in their 60s… This doesn’t mean their work isn’t interesting or valid.