Arts

Creating spaces for dialogue between the humanities and social sciences and the world of the arts
Ongoing call
Deadline for application
Appel à projets Arts

At the intersection of arts and sciences, the program “Arts – Worlds in Action, Worlds in Reflection” aims to foster collective reflection and invention. By creating opportunities for encounters between scientific research and artistic creation, by encouraging cooperation between the disciplines of the humanities and social sciences and those of the arts, by organizing collaboration between these disciplines and artistic, cultural, and heritage institutions, and by building dialogue with society, this program seeks to enrich our understanding of many contemporary issues.

As both popular practices and markers of distinction; rooted in Indigenous worlds as well as imbued with universal meaning; objects of reverence as much as of trafficking; both cultural and financial assets — the arts and their products lie at the heart of numerous societal challenges. Creation itself, appropriation, circulation, dissemination, and commercialization are all key aspects. Acts of looting, destruction, censorship, and litigation paradoxically highlight their significance within diverse social imaginaries. Through the lens of arts and creation, research engages with new societal questions, shedding light on underexplored subjects.

The program will support partnership-based teams leading reflective projects that can contribute to public debate and inform decision-making. These teams may explore productive zones of friction between artistic and scientific approaches, analyze how the arts renew our perspective on social phenomena, study the transformative power of dialogue between different forms of knowledge of the sensory world, examine the role of artistic practices in the emergence of new collective narratives, and more. The program is particularly attentive to new forms of writing.

The program “Arts – Worlds in Action, Worlds in Reflection” aims to understand the transformations of practices and structures, imaginaries and representations over the long term by bringing together the humanities and social sciences with actors from the arts sector. The supported partnerships will help identify key challenges that societies of all eras have faced or continue to face.

As a true vehicle for reflection and awareness-raising, the Arts program seeks to broaden horizons by encouraging greater consciousness. The development of synergies between scientific, artistic, and cultural stakeholders — with the possible involvement of civil society — will foster the exploration of new transdisciplinary approaches and innovations, enabling a more powerful and meaningful transmission of knowledge to the public.

To fulfill this ambition, the program is structured around three main pillars:

  • Supporting research development: by funding partnership-based teams engaged in reflective projects on societal issues in all their forms of expression.
  • Building bridges: by creating opportunities for dialogue between researchers in the humanities and social sciences and actors in the arts (film, museums, philharmonics, visual arts, theatre, dance, etc.) who are committed to understanding societal change.
  • Disseminating knowledge: by promoting research through various channels (books, collections, journals, exhibitions, multimedia platforms) to reach a broad audience and contribute to public debate.

In 2025, particular (though not exclusive) attention will be given to projects addressing the issue of the “restitution” of artworks and, more broadly, cultural property on a global scale. All aspects of this "international relationship" and its multiple meanings may be explored. Dialogue with communities and civil society organizations, heritage institutions, and public authorities is especially encouraged.

  • 1 call for projects per year since 2016
  • 13 projects selected since the program's inception
  • €230,000 awarded in total

Discover interviews with the awardees:

The program "Arts – Worlds in Action, Worlds in Reflection" funds research projects in the early stages of development. In partnership with the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, it provides support to project leaders in refining their research questions, defining their methodology, and expanding their research networks. The aim is to further reflection on the arts and to shed new light on research through artistic practices.

Since their inception, the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l’Homme (FMSH) and the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation – French Delegation have supported the exchange and dialogue between different theories and practices of knowledge.

→ Learn more about the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

Ongoing call

1 result

Arts - Worlds in action, worlds in reflection

Call for projects
Deadline: June 6, 2025
Appel à projets Arts
Ongoing call

Grantees

Lobodenko

Kateryna Lobodenko

Laureate of the 2024 Arts Programme
JERENITE

Kenza Jernit

2024 laureate of the Arts Programme
Sophie Delpeux

Sophie Delpeux

2024 laureate of the Arts Programme
Mathias Steinle

Matthias Steinle

Laureate of the 2024 Arts programme
Marina Chauliac

Marina Chauliac

Laureate of the 2023 Arts programme
All researchers

Projects

Desierto

From the neighbourhood to the desert

Between spirituality and a return to nature, the trajectories and experiences of working-class youth in Mexico. San Luis Potosí
A l'ombre de la mine

In the shadow of the mine

Thinking about extractive activities and their environmental impact
Residence Art

One health’ art and digital residency

Involving artists throughout the research process
Exil guerres

Exiles, Wars, and Creations

Images of Resistance in the Service of History
Visuel moments esthétiques

Aesthetic Moments in Health - An Atlas

Renewing experiences and representations of health
See all projects

Activities

Salon du dehors. Une installation LALCA (Laboratoire d’Architectes, Lutteurs, Chercheurs et Artistes)
Article

The making of shelter and the spaces and times of intimacy in situations of inadequate or poor housing

Winner of the 2023 Arts & HSS programme, this project examines the notion of rest in precarious times and spaces
Détail de la couverture du Journal de la FMSH n°2
Journal

FMSH, Journal n°2

Research Without Borders: A Journey into FMSH Initiatives
aureat-arts-shs-2024
Actualité
Arts & cultures

Laureates 2024 | Arts & HSS Programme

Projects dedicated to the "Arts and humanities" theme
fête de la science
Meeting

French Science Festival - Between shores and depths: An oceanic exploration

October 10 | Meeting & exhibition
See all program activities