Music Residency - Call of the Sea
from November 02, 2026 to April 09, 2027
3 "Music" artistic residency sessions on the theme "The Call of the Sea"
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About
THE PROJECT:
Each year, PAX MUSICA hosts three multi-week artistic residencies at La Rocabella for its laureates—professional musicians who have found refuge in France. Set in a historic villa on the Var coast, the residency is designed as a true creative laboratory and a space for rebuilding: a time to dedicate oneself fully to one's art, while opening up to other practices through collaboration with fellow artists, and to re-establish a professional and artistic network in France. The 2026-2027 season extends and expands this principle: each session now brings together musicians, a composer, and singer-songwriters/poets, in constant dialogue with other artists in residence—filmmakers, sculptors, painters, illustrators, and photographers—within a supported and coordinated work environment.
During the residency, your PAX MUSICA mentor will visit La Rocabella for a dedicated work session to help shape and enrich the personal project you are developing on-site. This visit is part of our ongoing artistic mentorship and allows for close, personalized follow-up.
Beyond the personal work conducted with your mentor, you will be offered opportunities for interdisciplinary projects during the residency, in collaboration with the composer, the singer-songwriters/poets, and other artists present (filmmakers, sculptors, painters, comic book artists, etc.). Previous editions have given rise to hybrid formats such as "music for film" (composing soundtracks in collaboration with young filmmakers) or "illustrated concerts" (live music and illustration). These collaborations foster collective creation presented at the end of the session, without replacing the time dedicated to your personal project.
The La Rocabella residency is more than just a place for individual work: it is a collective living experience in the heart of an exceptional estate facing the Mediterranean. Designed as a true creative laboratory and a space for rebuilding, it brings together, at the same time and in the same place, musicians, a composer, and singer-songwriters/poets, as well as artists from other disciplines in cross-residency: filmmakers, sculptors, painters, illustrators, authors, and more.
This daily proximity naturally fosters dialogue between practices through informal discussions, screenings, improvised workshops, and joint projects. Each resident is encouraged to draw inspiration from this artistic diversity in a spirit of sharing and openness, while still having the time and space necessary for their own creative work.
PREREQUISITES:
- Be a PAX MUSICA program laureate (current or previous cohort) — a mandatory requirement to apply for this residency
- Have a personal artistic project to develop
- Be available for the entire duration of a session: commitment is mandatory, with no possibility of withdrawal during the residency
- Be fully committed to collaborating with the other artists in the residency
SESSION DATES:
- SESSION 1: November 2 to December 18, 2026
- SESSION 2: January 4 to February 19, 2027
- SESSION 3: March 1 to April 9, 2027
TERMS OF RESIDENCY:
- Stipend: €1,000 per month
- Travel expenses: round trip covered up to €250
- Accommodation and meals: private room and meals provided on-site by the estate for the duration of the session
- Workspace: dedicated room (baby grand piano subject to availability at the estate)
- Setting: the Rocabella estate, on the Var coast facing the Mediterranean
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Selection based on application, followed by an interview. The application must include:
- Artistic CV up to date
- Cover letter (1 page maximum), explaining your background and interest in the residency
- Artistic statement describing the project you wish to develop during the residency
- Letter of recommendation from your PAX MUSICA mentor (mandatory — the residency is part of an artistic mentorship program)
Submit your complete application: via the online form
SELECTION TIMELINE:
- Applications open: June 24, 2026
- Application period: from June 26, 2026 to September 6, 2026
- Selection interviews: September – October 2026
- Results: October 2026
For any questions: coordination-rocabella@paxmusica.fr — https://www.paxmusica.fr
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FAQ
What is the duration of the residency?
Depending on the themes, a residency can last from one week to several months, which gives participants enough time to immerse themselves in the environment and carry out their projects successfully.
Who can participate in a residency?
The residency is open to artists and researchers aged 21 and over and of all levels of experience. Priority is given to those who wish to exchange with their peers or with other creatives from other disciplines. The selection is based on an application file, which includes a project proposal, a portfolio and a statement of interest. A panel of competent experts reviews all applications.
Are there any costs associated with the residence?
All essential expenses are covered: accommodation, full board, housekeeping, consumables, round-trip transportation, as well as access to shared tools and spaces required for collective projects. Residents remain responsible for their personal expenses and any specific costs related to their individual projects. An artistic grant is also awarded to support each residency.
Does the residency include coaching or mentoring?
Each residence is specific. Depending on the themes, participants can have access to personalized coaching and mentoring from renowned experts in their field. Storytelling and pitch training workshops are also often included in programs to help residents better value their work.
Are international applications welcomed?
We welcome applications from around the world for a portion of our residencies. The diversity of perspectives is highly valued in our program and the common language is English.
Please consult the specific residences to see which are in French and which in English.
Are-the residents alone on site ?
During the winter residency periods, Rocabella focuses on its artist-in-residence program.
What is a creative residency in La Rocabella?
Artistic residencies are periods during which artists and creators come to work on their projects around a specific theme. Residents are supervised by a specialist mentor and can benefit from advice from professional artists or specialists to enrich their creative activity.
