Contretype is continuing the residency programme initiated by Jean-Louis Godefroid in 1998. Initially entitled L'image de Bruxelles, the aim of this programme was to enable artists to develop their photographic research, while gradually building up a visual documentation of the territory of Brussels. It is agreed that each artist in residence would give Contretype at least one of the works they produced during their stay. These works will enrich the Contretype collection.

Contretype offers two residencies each year: one is a local residency and the other is an exchange residency. Each year, one of the 6 winners of the archipel exhibition is invited for a research and/or production residency the following year. The other residency should be set up as part of an exchange with a structure involved in photography, possibly in Africa. In keeping with Belgium's history and current affairs, this residency is part of the broader theme of colonial and post-colonial relations, which has become central today.

Contretype's commitment is to offer visibility to the work carried out during the residency, whether through a presentation at Contretype, an off-site conference, support for a publication, a partnership with another organisation, etc.

The evolution of the residency modalities modifies the meaning of the programme's title: L’image de Bruxelles should no longer necessarily be understood as the production of a photographic documentation of the territory of Brussels, but as the artistic and aesthetic landscape shaped by the artists working in Brussels. The theme of their work is no longer necessarily the representation of Brussels.

Artists in residence are housed in the Contretype flat in Cité Fontainas, above its exhibition spaces. The duration of a residency is usually 1 month.

Each residency is allocated the following budgets
- A budget for production
- A budget for travel expenses, if the artist does not live in Brussels
- A per diem for a period of 30 days