about us

Due to war, racial, ethnic, sexual and gender discrimination, or religious, economic and political marginalization, every day many people are forced to leave their homeland. Amongst them, some are artists often involved in a continuous fight against the authorities of their countries. Since it is the duty of art to be the voice of the oppressed and to reveal the underlying issues in the society, the creative sector in Europe must be particularly mindful of the matter and provide
the infrastructures to better accommodate these artists. Artists must be able to continue to practice their art, not only as individuals, but also as custodians of their culture. It is through art that the culture of a people whose autonomy is threatened, will continue to live on.

The mission of the agency of artists in exile (aa-e) is to identify artists in exile of all origins and disciplines, to support them according to their situation and needs, to offer them work space and to put them in contact with professionals (French and European networks), in order to provide them with the necessary means to restructure and continue their practice. According to the demands of project and programs, the aa-e creates its own events, including the “Party in exile” and the multidisciplinary festival, Visions of Exile, in cooperation with its partners.

our mission

a dedicated space for the aa-e at 6 rue d’Aboukir 75002 Paris

The agency of artists in exile proposes:

  • a reception and advisory office where artists are individually received and where their needs are identified;
  • a convivial space where artists can spend time, have the use of computers with internet access, meet in small numbers and arrange appointments;
  • spaces for artistic practice where artists can come to work occasionally or in the form of residencies punctuated by presentations by professionals, or workshops on artistic practice for an amateur public.

you are an artist in exile…

You were a professional artist in your country, you had an artistic activity in your country, you wish to restart or develop your practice, the aa-e can:

  • evaluate your situation;
  • make meeting and work places available;
  • find equipped workspaces;
  • arrange meetings with professionals;
  • organise moments of public presentation;
  • establish links with other artists for exchanges or to complete a project;
  • help you write a CV or an artistic application;
  • display your profile and projects on its website;
  • support the construction of your project;
  • set up classes and training courses;
  • provide information about the French cultural system;
  • facilitate administrative procedures;
  • provide advice and point you to the right contacts for legal and social security questions;
  • propose opportunities to run workshops.

you are a professional…

You are an artist, a company, an ensemble or a collective, you work for a cultural institution or a festival, an educational institution or a school, a local authority, an association or a private company. You are looking for exiled artists for a project, you want to programme artists in exile and help them restructure their careers through residencies, programming or financial support, the aa-e can:

  • organise meetings with artists in exile and make connections with artists present in your territory;
  • organise artistic showcases;
  • help artists you may have spotted;
  • publish information about your work with exiled artists on its website.

you are an individual…

you are an individual sensitive to cause of artists in exile, you can:

  • financially support the aa-e;
  • become a volunteer for the aa-e by investing in some its actions;
  • contribute your professional skills;
  • propose space or accommodation;
  • accompany an artist in exile by sponsoring him/her.

you are a foundation, a company, an institution…

If you have financial support, you can:

  • subsidise the aa-e;
  • offer materials or scholarships for artists in exile.

you are an NGO, an association, a collective, a specialised service or body, a care facility, a French school…

You are involved in welcoming and assisting newcomers to France, you can:

  • direct artists to the aa-e;
  • contact the aa-e to set up artistic workshops.

team

president: Jacques Pornon

direction: Judith Depaule
codirection: Ariel Cypel
administration: Raphaël Saubole
general coordination: Laura Dubois
location manager: Andriy Vatrych
head of comunication: Marion Pons
head of the French school: Myrtille Gasparutto
head of the cultural action department: Myriam Gherbi
head of the music department: Daniel Blanco
head of the visual arts department: Louise Morin
national coordination for Afghan artists: Ali Hazara and Elia Chalom
national coordination for Myanmar artists: Ingyin
national coordination for Ukrainian artists: Lesya Matsko and Zola Chichmintseva-Kondamambou
national coordination for Russian artists: Adèle Costa and Tatiana Efrussi
international cooperation: Aura Burzynski
social work: Clémence Plesse
reception desk : Cindie Chams

direction of the aa-e Marseille : Sarah Gorog
coordination of the aa-e Marseille : Nicolas Stolypine

graphic and web design: Studio des formes
press agent: Philippe Boulet
translation to Arabic: Hamza Abuhamdia
translation to the Farsi: Maral Bolouri

thanks to all the volunteers, interns and civic services

partners

the aa-e is supported by

its location at 6 rue d’Aboukir 75002 Paris is provided by

for the support of artists (creation and schooling grants, broadcasting of shows and concerts), the aa-e receives the support of

for artist residencies, the aa-e receives support from

for its festival Visions d’exil, the aa-e is funded by

for its mediation workshops, the aa-e is accompanied by

associate member of

associated with Tout monde and

is eligible for the service civique missions


Winner of the 2018 Culture for Peace Prize from the Fondation Jacques Chirac and the Fondation Culture & Diversité