Centrally funded spaces
In each nearly every region of France, there are contemporary art centres which have the offical label (and funding) of the Ministry of culture.
In each nearly every region of France, there are contemporary art centres which have the offical label (and funding) of the Ministry of culture.
Many of them started their activity in the 70's on the Kunsthallen model and develop a policy of research and development through their exhibition programme, with publications, commissions, the production of works and artists' residencies.
Since 1983, the French Ministry of culture has supported many of them financially and created others in partnership with local and regional authorities.
They played a vital role in the art scene in the 80's and 90's and are complimentary to the modern art and contemporary art museums. They have also developed important initiatives as regards education programmes with the aim of increasing public access to contemporary art.
In the last few years, there has been a general debate about the vitality and necessity of these art centres, a debate usually initiated by local authorities who are reluctant to pay their part. Nevertheless, the art centres have mostly survived despite important funding cuts.
There are also a wide variety of municipal art spaces, some of which are interesting and are listed here.
Stephanie Délcroix has written two articles on various aspects of working and exhibiting in France for the a-n website. Read The Hole of Art: Part 1 (on the Centres d'Art structure of galleries) and The Hole of Art: Part 2 (on the processes of public commissioning in France).
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29 September
La Galerie de Noisy-le-Sec
address1, rue Jean Jaures, 93130 Noisy-le-Sec, Francecontacttelephone0033 1 49 42 67 17emailwebsite
Contemporary art centre which each year hosts an artist in residence. The aim of this seven and a half month residency is to produce new works for group exhibition at La Galerie. Each year's residency is themed, they also have 1 residency for curators a year. La Galerie will participate to the funding of the project and will bring logistic support to its realisation (artist fees and production costs).
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29 September
CAC Brétigny
addressEspace Jules Verne, Rue Henri-Douard, Brétigny-sur-Orge, 91220 Francecontacttelephone00 33 1 60 85 20 76fax00 33 1 60 85 04 28emailwebsite
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29 September
Ferme du Buisson Centre D'Art
addressAllée de la Ferme, Noisiel, 77437 Marne-la-Vallée, Francetelephone00 33 1 64 62 77 41website
Art and Cultural centre with unusual diary of events. A real hotbed for the arts.
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29 September
Jeu de Paume - Concorde site
address1, Place de la Concorde, 75008 Parisaddress62, rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 Pariscontacttelephone00 33 1 47 03 12 50fax00 33 1 47 03 12 51emailwebsite
The Jeu de Paume, which used to be a general art centre, has recently been redefined as a space for photography and the image with an open and transversal approach covering the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries across the board (photography, film, video, installations.) They have also another site: Hotel de Sully.
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29 September
Centre Georges Pompidou
addressPlace Georges Pompidou, 75191 Paris Cedex 4telephone00 33 1 44 78 12 33website
Musee national d'art moderne. This emblematic French institution for art, known as Beaubourg to the locals, is a must, both for the collection as well as temporary exhibitions and the dance, film and conference programme. The BPI is a huge library which is part of the Pompidou centre and open to the public (free entrance - queues frequent) every day except Tuesday.
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29 September
Le Quartier
address10, esplanade François Mitterand BP.1732, 29107, Quimpercontacttelephone0033 2 98 55 55 77website
This is an art centre based in the centre of Quimper, in an old army barracks.
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29 September
CCC Centre de création contemporaine
address55, rue Marcel Tribut, 37000 Tourscontacttelephone00 33 2 47 66 50 00fax0033 2 47 61 60 24emailwebsite
Comtemporary Arts centre.
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29 September
La Criée
addressPlace Honore Commeurec, Halles Centrales, 35000 Rennes Francecontacttelephone00 33 2 99 78 18 20emailwebsite
This is a small but interesting contemporary art centre based in the centre of Rennes, in part of the old fish market, hence the name la Criée.
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29 September
Parc Saint-Léger - contemporary art centre
addressAvenue Conti, 58320 Pougues-les-Eaucontactfax00 33 3 86 90 96 61website
The Parc Saint Lé ger- Centre d'Art Contemporain is offering three month residencies, twice a year, directed at emerging artists under the title 'Résidences Secondaires' (Seconde Homes). Deadline is May 31st of the year before the residencies dates. Ofered is a private apartment and a studio on the Art Center, a grant of 4000 euros including expenses and production and one return trip from home to the art center.
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29 September
Musée d'art moderne et contemporain de Strasbourg
address1, place Hans Jean Arp, 67000 Strasbourgtelephone0033 3 88 23 31 31fax0033 3 88 23 31 32
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29 September
Centre rhénan d'art contemporain
address18, rue du Chaeau, 68130 Altkirch, Alsacecontacttelephone00 33 3 89 08 82 59emailwebsite
The CRAC ALSACE is a contemporary art centre situated a few kilometres from Germany and Switzerland.
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29 September
The Palais de Tokyo
contactwebsite
Until a couple of years ago in Paris, there was no contemporary art centre showing really contemporary art. The Palais de Tokyo, situated next to the Musée d'art moderne de la ville de Paris, is a space which mixes all artistic disciplines and functions as an artistic experimental laboratory. Open until late at night with a restaurant and bar, it is often a good place to go in the evenings - the exhibition and events programme is lively and unconventional. The Pavillon of the "Palais de Tokyo" art centre is a course for young artists and curators. The programme includes personal research, meetings with various figures from the world of art directly linked to the overall project of the "Palais de Tokyo", workshops in different countries, creative production whether collective or individual open to all types of artistic practice. Candidates should have A level + 5 years of study or professional experience. Knowledge of French or English is required. For the 2006/2007 session, candidates were asked to make a proposal based on tne notion of Terra incognita. Thanks to a special partnership with the Ecole nationale supérieure d'arts de Cergy, enrollment in Le Pavillon program enables artists to take advantage of student insurance and medical coverage. Enrollment fees for each artist were 290Euros in 2004. Each of the selected artists receivse a monthly grant of 800Euros during the 8-month programme.
The article is for information only, and not for the purpose of providing legal advice.
Readers should consult a solicitor for legal advice on specific matters, and artists in London can get free online legal advice from Artquest