The DRAC (Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles) is the Regional Office of Cultural Affairs. Since 1977, as part of a policy of "decentralisation", the Ministry of culture has been present in each region of France thanks to the DRAC.

These regional arts offices implement the priorities defined by the Ministry adapting them to regional contexts. Apart from the attribution of funding, the DRAC also acts as an advisory body for cultural institutions and local government. They cover all aspects of the arts with generally a specialised officer for each sector: heritage, museums, archives, books and literature, music and dance, theatre and performance, scientific culture, visual arts, cinema and the audio-visual.

Visual arts

In liaison with the DAP - Délégation aux arts plastiques (National visual arts office), the DRAC intervene within the contemporary art sector: painting, sculpture, photography, audiovisual arts, new technology, the decorative arts, and industrial design, cartoons, fashions, graphic design, etc. They have a triple mission: the showing of contemporary art forms , supporting creativity and professional development.

The visual arts officers are to advise and give the information necessary to artists and creative professionals to facilitate their working conditions and their social and economic integration. They oversee the distribution of funds and closely follow the activities of the art centres and Frac on their territory as well as the promotion of these structures.

They initiate and support other art projects in the region, and oversee the network of institutions and events promoting contemporary art.

They are also responsible for public art, art commissions with local authorities and the programme of investments for the creation of studios for artists.

As regards individual grants for artists, there is a specific grant, the "Bourse du Fiacre" that artists can apply for via the DRAC, for a specific project. This grant is available to artists living and settled in the region, regardless of nationality (see Funding section).

The DRAC visual arts officer is a key player in any regional arts scene, and obviously under a lot of pressure to keep up with the huge task entrusted to them. For any project, at any level, their approval is often necessary for it to succeed. Some "Conseillers aux arts plastiques" are more accessible than others and according to the region, they can be very helpful or extremely inaccessible and / or unhelpful!

The list of all DRAC offices by region is here.

• working professionally
• working internationally