Research
Through its programme of research residencies and documentary residencies, the Pôle International de la Marionnette aims to encourage fundamental research in the field of the puppetry arts, to support teachers who wish to consolidate the theoretical and scientific basis of their teaching and to strengthen the links between the research and creative communities.
Research residencies must last at least two weeks. There is no minimum duration for documentary residencies. Residencies may not take place during periods when the Centre is closed (summer closure and Christmas holidays) or in September.
The call for applications for the 2025 research residencies is now closed.
The next annual call will be announced on the news page.
Research residencies
Selection criteria
Applications will be selected on the basis of the interest of the research, the novelty of its subject, its scientific and/or artistic objectives and the methodology used. The existence, in the Documentation and Collections Centre, of resources related to the research project will also be taken into account. Research undertaken at the Centre must be the subject of a publication, which the researchers undertake to forward to the Centre. Particular attention will also be paid to applications from young researchers.
Applicants who are unsuccessful in the call for research residencies may be offered a documentary residency on request (see below).
Conditions for selection and procedure for the research residency
Six applications per year will be selected to receive a grant of €1,500 excluding VAT. This grant will be paid in the form of royalties. It may also be invoiced by the researcher if their status allows. Two grants will be awarded as a priority to lecturers at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts de la Marionnette (ESNAM) who wish to undertake research likely to enrich their teaching.
Residents benefit from the resources available at the Documentation and Collections Centre, a personal welcome from the Documentation team and contact with the Centre’s partners. Residents also benefit from accommodation in the flat rented by the IIM. For this reason, the dates of the residency are based on the availability of a room. Researchers have access to the Documentation Centre during opening hours: Monday to Friday, 1pm to 5pm. They may borrow certain documents at other times.
In return, residents undertake to leave a copy of their research work (dissertation, thesis, article, documentary, etc.) at the Documentation Centre and to take part in a possible informal meeting with ESNAM students and/or the Pôle team to present their research subject and discuss it with them in no more than one hour.
Reorientation towards documentary residencies
Some applications that are not selected for a research residency may be redirected towards documentary residencies, without grants. Residents will have access to the resources available at the Documentation and Collections Centre during opening hours, and will be accommodated in a flat rented by the Centre. They may be offered informal meetings with ESNAM students and the Pôle team if the selection committee considers that such an exchange is relevant for both the students and the researcher.
Documentary residencies (excluding call for applications)
The Documentation Centre offers documentary residencies throughout the year. On request and subject to availability, a room in the flat rented by the Pôle can be made available to researchers wishing to carry out research.
To benefit from a documentary residency, contact the librarians by writing to infodoc@marionnette.com. Applications can be made even outside the call for entries (at least one week before the desired date).
Outside the residences, the Documentation Centre is open to the public throughout the year, with the exception of certain periods (summer closure and Christmas holidays).