Presentation

The Research Program La Seine was created in 2001 for young artists, whether they be French or foreign, who have completed a diploma of Master II (European standard) level, or equivalent. The aim of the Program is to provide students with the means to develop projects that they have already begun work on, in a professional context. The fact that the Program is at the École allows students to take advantage of the great variety of artistic approaches and disciplines that are present at the École.

The Program is based on a constant exchange of knowledge and skills concerning both artistic thought and practice. In addition to broadening students’ knowledge, the Program La Seine aims to recreate professional working conditions as much as possible. The group dynamic and interactive nature of the Program encourages artists to compare notes on their own experiences in the studio as well as to develop their critical faculties collectively. Meetings with established artists and professionals from the world of contemporary art prove to be stimulating, enriching experiences for aspiring artists.

Since 2009, this research program propose, in addition to the technical and critical support in direction of the artistic practice, a theoretical approach of the student research and a professional implantation of the artistic work. At the end of this two-years program, each student propose an exhibition in a professional site, accompanied by a publication, to obtain the research degree La Seine.

Conditions for participation

To apply, the candidates must have completed a diploma equivalent to a Master II (European standard).
Candidates must have been actively involved in developing their own artistic project, outside of an academic institution for a minimum of one year.
Successful candidates who don’t have good working knowledge of French will be required to enrol in a French language learning program provided by the school.

Program course

The Research Program La Seine takes place over two consecutive academic years, from Oc tober to June. Every year 6 or 8 new applicants are selected.

Beginning in academic year 2009-2010, a new curriculum, organized in 4 semesters, has been put in place.
See the Student Handbook for specifics on program organization by semester and schedule.

The following regular activities will be held every year :
— a research seminar run by a guest participant on a specific research topic;
— meetings with guest artists, exhibition organizers, art critics and other professionals;
— presentations by each Programme student of developments in their work, followed by critical discussion;
— individual meetings with Tony Brown for students to discuss how their work is evolving;
— meetings to organize collective Programme life and projects.

Critical and practical support

During the course of the Program, each students is provided with a dedicated team of pedagogical supervisors :
Tony Brown, head ;
Patrick Raynaud, professor ;
A guest participant, in charge of the annual research seminar of the Program. In 2009/2010, Paul Sztulman run this seminar.
Guest participants likes artists, professors, art critics, curators…etc. In 2009, the guest participants were for example : Mathieu Mericer, Stéphane Calais, Saâdane Afif, Philippe Mayaux, Marc-Olivier Wahler, Xavier Franceschi, Jacinto Lageira, Sui Jianguo…etc

In order to help them with their projects, students on the Program La Seine have:
– the individual supervision of the director of the Program, Tony Brown;
– a studio which is shared with other students on the Program, located in the centre of the École, the Atelier Devot, on three different levels: the first floor is the studio workspace, the second level is a mezzanine equipped for the production of new media digital work, and the top floor area is allocated to meetings and discussion sessions;
– the access to all the École’s computer facilities, production equipment, as well as advices from professionals in charge of the technical workshops (woodwork, metalwork,
photo-etching, digital imagery, photography, video and sound recording). Students on the Program may also attend all the theory of art lectures provided by the school for
regular students;
– a grant for research and production, which can amount to up to 3 000 € a year, depending on each student ’s level of participation in the Program.

Contact et informations

Vincent Gonzalvez
Coordinator of Resarch Program La Seine
14, rue Bonaparte
75006 Paris
+ 33 (0)1 47 03 54 01
vincent.gonzalvez@beauxartsparis.fr