THE TRIENNIAL
“The City of Nîmes is determined to offer a new contemporary event capable of attracting a new audience. The Contemporaine de Nîmes is not an off-the-ground event, but a made-to-measure project, originating in the area, for the residents of Nîmes and its visitors, both ambitious and audacious.”
— Sophie Roulle, Deputy Delegate for Culture, City of Nîmes
The Contemporaine de Nîmes is a new contemporary art triennial initiated by the city of Nîmes. Every three years starting from 2024 onwards, a selection of today’s art is presented across the city, revolving around a main theme. Public spaces, monuments, heritage sites, museums, cultural venues and everyday places are thus invested by established and emerging artists from the French and international scene, from all disciplines and generations. Each edition of the Contemporaine is an invitation to discover and explore contemporary creation and Nîmes in a different way, within the framework of a program that is equally ambitious, generous and accessible.
AN AMBITIOUS, UNIFYING AND SUSTAINABLE PROJECT
For several decades now, Nîmes has had a very close relationship with contemporary art. Architectural projects have played a key role in shaping this relationship. The emblem of this approach is undoubtedly Carré d’Art, intended by Jean Bousquet and designed by architect Norman Foster.
Over the years, Carré d’Art has asserted itself as a temple dedicated to contemporary art, notably thanks to the rich collection built up by Bob Calle and further developed by the three directors who succeeded him, Guy Tosatto, Françoise Cohen and Jean-Marc Prévost. Thumbing its nose at its ancient treasures, Nîmes has become a stronghold for contemporary art in France and Europe. 2024 will be an important year for contemporary art in Nîmes with this first edition, both in public and museum spaces. The Contemporaine de Nîmes will take over the streets of our city for a year of exceptional creation.
This is an ambitious, unifying and sustainable project, built around the history and identity of our city. It is also an integral part of the life of our community and its stakeholders. By positioning Nîmes as the epicenter of contemporary creation in 2024, Sophie Roulle and I are determined to breathe new life into the momentum that has driven our city for over 30 years.
Jean-Paul Fournier
Mayor of Nîmes
