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Monday 22 December 2025
The CR! Laureates 2025
CR! 2025: 93 laureates to bring creation to life from the territories Pour cette première édition, ce sont 93 lauréats – 61 projets cofinancés et 32 projets labellisés – qui…
On the road to the 2026
CR! 2026
Once again this year, make your voice heard through the CR!
CR! is Bourges 2028’s creative open call, inviting you to bring your Contributions to Reinvent Imaginaries to life. With this 2026 edition, we are reaching a new milestone by fully engaging youth and residents of priority neighborhoods through dedicated resources and specialized pathways.
Support remains at the heart of CR!, but it is evolving, becoming more specific and more closely aligned with the realities of each audience.
L’arrivée de nouveaux partenaires : Info Jeunes, réseaux des acteurs qui font vivre les Quartiers prioritaires de la politique de la ville, représentants de l’Éducation nationale… Avec ces partenaires, nous créons une véritable ingénierie collaborative de la création. Pour qu’à leurs côtés, vos intuitions se transforment en projets viables, où les savoir-faire se partagent.
To take part, head here!
CR! des élèves
Making every student an active participant in creation is the goal of the 2026 edition of CR!, developed in partnership with the French Ministry of Education.
CR! for Students, with registration through the Adage platform, is open to all schools in the Cher area, from kindergarten to high school.
Working alongside an artist who supports the teaching team throughout the entire process, this programme places creation at its heart, embeds artistic practice in schools over the long term, and empowers younger generations to become active participants in shaping their territory.
- Open to all schools in the Cher area, from kindergarten to high school.
- 20 winning projects
- Up to 2,000€ per project
- In partnership with National Education
CR! des jeunes
The Bourges 2028 Incubators for 15-29 year olds aim to cultivate a generation of creators rooted in their communities. Supported by the Info Jeunes network and its regional branches-including six InfoLabs and three mobile InfoTrucks-the Incubators offer five months of guidance to turn creative sparks into concrete projects. This initiative provides a space for freedom and creation that reaches both urban and rural areas.
- For project leaders aged 15 to 29
- 20 winning projects
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Up to 10,000€ per project – funding up to 80% of the project
- In partnership with Info Jeunes Download the terms of reference
CR! quartiers en Action
Quartiers en Action seeks to turn priority neighborhoods into laboratories for the reclaiming of citizen creation. This program breaks away from top-down logic by placing co-construction at the very heart of the process. Every artistic project must be envisioned and implemented alongside the residents of priority urban policy neighborhoodsin the Centre-Val de Loire region
and the Matrice cities. This approach transforms neighborhoods into spaces for experimentation and shared expression.
- For all projects located in a Priority Urban Policy Neighborhood
- Culture & Inclusion / Art in public spaces
- 30 winning projects
- Up to 15,000€ per project – funding up to 70% of the project
Have questions about CR!? We've got the answers. We've got the answers.
What is an artistic or cultural project?
An artistic or cultural project is an initiative focused on the creation or distribution of works within an artistic discipline such as music, theatre, visual arts, or literature. It must align with the values of Bourges 2028 and contribute to innovation, citizen participation, and the cultural influence of the territory.
My project has already started, can I still submit it?
Projects may begin as early as January 1, 2025, provided they are original and intended to be realized or repeated in 2028.
Should access to my performance be free or paid?
Access to your performance may be free or paid. If you choose to charge an admission fee, the jury will consider price accessibility and consistency with the target audience to ensure an inclusive cultural offer. Bourges 2028 encourages the implementation of pricing advantages for spectators using low-carbon transportation.
My project took place in 2023, can I adapt it for 2028?
Yes, your project may be an adaptation or evolution of a previous initiative, provided it presents an original and innovative character compared to the 2023 version. It must also align with the values of Bourges 2028 and have an impact in 2028 and beyond.
I do not know how to make my project low-carbon, can you help me?
Yes. The CR! Academy offers a dedicated workshop on integrating a low-carbon approach into your project. You will discover practical solutions adapted to your artistic discipline to reduce your environmental impact without compromising your creative process.
Which disciplines can be presented?
All artistic and cultural disciplines are welcome, including music, dance, theatre, street arts, circus, performance, sculpture, painting, installation, drawing, photography, digital art, heritage, literature, poetry, comics, video, film, and many others.
When will I receive the funding from Bourges 2028?
If your project is a CR! winner, financial support from Bourges 2028 will be disbursed subject to the successful completion of the project. A formal agreement will be signed, and an audit in 2029 will verify the proper use of funds.
Will all projects receive support and communication assistance?
The juries will select the winning projects, which will receive financial and communication support, as well as labelled projects, which will benefit from communication support without financial funding. Some projects may be rejected by the juries; in such cases, the decision will be explained and communicated to the project leaders.
My project involves restoring a heritage building, is aid available?
No, the restoration of a building cannot be funded by Bourges 2028. Financial support is limited to the production, creation and dissemination costs of a project. Study costs, construction works, the purchase of artworks or capital investments are not eligible. No, the restoration of a building cannot be funded by Bourges 2028. Financial support is limited to the production, creation and dissemination costs of a project.
I am a small municipality in the region, am I eligible?
Local authorities and their departments are no longer eligible to apply directly for the CR!. Projects must be submitted by an eligible structure, such as an independent artist, association, cultural organization, school cooperative, or company.
Are there workshops in English?
While the registration form is available in both French and English, all Academy workshops will be conducted in French. However, subtitled versions of all workshops will be available online.
Are workshops accessible remotely?
The Academy adjusts to the various profiles and schedules of project leaders, offering the possibility to participate both in person and online.
Are workshops accessible to hearing or visually impaired individuals?
Yes. In-person workshops will be adapted to accommodate individuals with disabilities. For remote sessions, subtitling will be available via the video-conferencing software, and all materials used will be distributed to participants.
Do workshops take place only in Bourges or elsewhere in the region?
While the various Academy workshops will be accessible both remotely and in person, physical meetings will always take place in Bourges.
Who are the organizers of the Academy?
Bourges 2028 has partnered with experts from the cultural sector to answer your questions. Each topic will be led by different speakers, selected to match the subject and ensure high-quality content. Chaque thème sera mené par des intervenants différents afin de s’adapter au sujet et d’avoir un contenu de qualité.
Everything about the CRI des élèves
Can I participate as a private citizen?
No, this program is reserved for schools in the Cher department (from preschool to high school) in partnership with an artistic professional.
I am an artist based in Paris but I regularly present work in the region, can I participate?
Yes, provided you establish a partnership with a school located in the Cher department, which will officially submit the project.
I am under 18, how can I participate?
You participate in the CR! as part of your schooling, under the guidance of your teachers and within your educational establishment.
Is there an age limit to participate?
The program covers all students from preschool to high school, with no specific age limit within the school system.
My project must take place this year, can I submit it?
The project must be completed during the 2026-2027 school year, with visibility or promotion during the 2028 Capital year.
Can my project be 100% funded by Bourges 2028?
No, financial support is capped at 80% of the project’s estimated budget, up to a limit of 2,000 euros.
Do I need to attend all workshops to submit my project?
There is no mandatory workshop requirement for this school program. However, the CR! Academy and its six thematic workshops will be accessible to teachers.
Everything about the CRI des jeunes
Can I participate as a private citizen?
Yes, all participants aged 15 to 29 are welcome. However, you must have a SIRET number. If you do not have one, Info-Jeunes can assist you in establishing your association.
I am an artist based in Paris but I regularly present work in the region, can I participate?
All artists are invited to submit a project, provided the lead organization is based locally, in the Region, or in a Matrice city.
I am under 18, how can I participate?
You can apply individually or as a group from the age of 15. The Info-Jeunes (IJ) network can support you in creating your association.
Is there an age limit to participate?
Yes, this program is reserved for young people aged 15 to 29 at the time of registration.
My project must take place this year, can I submit it?
Yes, you may submit your project if it begins this year, provided it has an impact in 2028 through creation, distribution, or continuation until 2028.
My project takes place partly in the Region and partly elsewhere. Can I still submit it to CR!?
Yes, your project is eligible as long as it takes place primarily in the Centre-Val de Loire Region or in one of the Matrice cities.
Can my project be 100% funded by Bourges 2028?
No, financial support is capped at 80% of the project’s estimated budget, up to a limit of 10,000 euros.
Do I need to attend all Academy workshops to submit my project?
Academy workshops are accessible and optional. However, the “Ecological Transition and Accessibility” workshop, specifically created for the CRI des Jeunes, is mandatory to validate your application.
All about CR! quartiers en action:
Can I participate as a private citizen?
All participants are welcome, provided they have a SIRET number and are based in the Centre-Val de Loire Region or in one of the Matrice cities.
I am an artist based in Paris but I regularly present work in the region, can I participate?
All artists are invited to submit a project, provided the lead organization is based locally, in the Region, or in a Matrice city.
I am under 18, how can I participate?
You may apply, but you must possess a SIRET number. We recommend looking into the “CRI des Jeunes” for more specific support.
Is there an age limit to participate?
No, there is no age limit for neighborhood project leaders, as long as the organization has a SIRET number.
My project must take place this year, can I submit it?
Yes, you may submit your project if it begins this year, provided it has an impact in 2028.
My project takes place partly in the Region and partly outside it. Can I still submit it to CR!?
Yes, your project is eligible as long as it takes place primarily in the Centre-Val de Loire Region or in one of the Matrice cities. It must take place in a designated “Priority Neighbourhood” and involve strong citizen participation. Il doit se dérouler dans un quartier dit “Quartier Prioritaire de la Politique de la Ville” et avec une forte participation citoyenne.
Can my project be 100% funded by Bourges 2028?
No, financial support is capped at 50% of the project’s estimated budget, up to a limit of 15,000 euros. Co-funding is required.
Do I need to attend all Academy workshops to submit my project?
Yes, attending all six Academy workshops is mandatory to submit your final application to the jury. These sessions are designed to help you structure and enrich your project, and attendance will be a key criterion in the jury’s assessment.
The Academy helps strengthen and refine the projects submitted. It offers a free opportunity to benefit from training with professionals from the cultural sector.
It will be possible to attend in person or remotely, and the sessions may be followed by different participants depending on the workshop topics.
Regular attendance will also be one of the jury’s evaluation criteria, as these workshops are designed to help you structure and further develop your project.
