Arts
Thinking through societies in their social, cultural and patrimonial diversity to enrich our representations of the world
Both symbols and vectors of transformation, the arts and cultures shape our way of thinking about the world. These research areas enable us to think our societies in their historical dynamics as well as in their social, cultural and patrimonial diversity. This knowledge is not only a factor of enrichment and education, but also of mutual understanding.
For several years, the Foundation has been developing scientific and editorial programmes aimed at bringing together academic research and the world of arts and cultures in order to transform and enrich our representations of the world.
Our work
- Create links between research and the artistic creation: by funding research projects that work with artistic creation on current societal challenges.
- Publish knowledges: by developing a set of collections and journals, in partnership with key institutions of the arts and culture sector and participates in the editorial development of knowledge platforms combining aesthetics and research.
- Exposing the results of the research: by working on original formats that combine arts and sciences to bring a different perspective on research work and its results.
News
2026 Call for projects
Arts - Worlds in action, worlds in reflection
By fostering dialogue between the humanities, social sciences, and the arts, this call for projects aims to encourage innovative approaches that explore these transformations, stimulate critical thinking and open up new perspectives for understanding and action.
2026 Conferences Series
#Restitutions. Another Definition of the World
Moderated by journalist Valérie Nivelon, the series offers a space for reflection and dialogue on the restitution of works of art and cultural property acquired in contexts of violence and domination, and on the issues of memory, justice and the circulation of heritage that they raise.
Agenda
16.06.2026
#Restitutions: Legislating to make amends
Framework laws governing the restitution of African cultural property play an essential role in the process of redress following colonisation. Is their actual scope sufficient?
15.09.2026
#Restitutions: The archives in question
Reclaiming one's history means reclaiming one's identity. At the societal level, archives therefore play a major role and are central to discussions of cultural reaffirmation. What place do they occupy today in international debates on the issue of restitution?
The selected projects
In the shadow of the mine
Thinking about extractive activities and their environmental impact
One health’ art and digital residency
Involving artists throughout the research process
Exiles, Wars, and Creations
Images of Resistance in the Service of History
Aesthetic Moments in Health - An Atlas
Renewing experiences and representations of health
Art and Resilience
Art in Support of People Living with HIV in Benin: A Holistic and Humanistic Approach.
Access to rest
The creation of shelter, and spaces and times of intimacy in situations of homelessness or inadequate housing.
Charisma
2022 winning project of the "Arts & SHS" programme
Slithering cures. Snakes and venoms in South India
Giving shape to the many conceptions of the snake and its venom
Collections & journals
Polygraphe(s)
Polygraphe(s) is a journal devoted to graphic acts. It gathers multidisciplary contributions related to a field of research with strong heuristic power: figurative communication.
Ethnologie de la France et des mondes contemporains
The collection publishes research on France—both mainland France and its overseas territories, globally considered a prime ethnographic field—, exploring the dynamics of its history and the diversity of its societies, culture, and heritage.
Passages/Passagen
The Passages/Passagen collection is the result of research on German and French art and architecture, from the Middle Ages to the present day. It encourages collaborations focused on the history of European artistic relations.
Documents d'archéologie française
Intended for both specialists and enthusiasts eager to take stock of current knowledge, the collection offers works covering all aspects of archaeological research carried out on national territory.