If you have never shown in France before and have no contacts, then finding your first show will be difficult - even more difficult than showing your work in London if you don't speak good French.

The 'rules' in France are basically the same as anywhere else - getting on the cultural radar is a case of networking and mingling at private views and other events, and identifying organisations, exhibitions and contexts in which you think your work fits. This is obviously much easier if you are in the country you are interested in - sending emails and making phone calls is a good first step, but at some stage you will need to visit.

A simple way in to making new contacts, and visiting in a more structured way, is to start with a residency scheme. This site lists Residency opportunities in France, as well as links to other residency listings.

First steps

- It is easier if you speak at least some French, but not impossible if you don't. Many of the people you come across will have some knowledge of English, but its polite to try a bit of French too.
- Identify an area of the country where you have a link (friends, friends of friends, family, professional contacts etc). It is a good idea not to start with Paris.
- Make sure you have a decent portfolio with lo-res (72dpi) images in JPEG format and copies of them on dual-format (Mac and PC) CDs to leave. More information on formats and this kind of marketing information can be found at the Me, Me, Me: An Artists Guide to Self Promotion section of the Artquest website.

Nothing beats being in the country and speaking to people face to face to get to know the lie of the land. Go on a reconnaissance trip, and direct yourself at the opportunities and contacts you have already researched.

The usual approach to getting an exhibition in a publicly funded space in France is to go through a commercial gallery, most of which are in Paris. Once you are in this network major French institutions are likely to pick up on your work. Virtually all artists exhibiting in French museums and large contemporary art centres are represented by a French commercial gallery.

Getting a gallery in Paris is no less difficult than elsewhere, and you are more likely to get a gallery if you are already on the international circuit, in which case you are also more likely to be spotted by a French curator (see interviews).

• working internationally
• exhibiting
• getting an exhibition