Created in December 2000, and recognised for its public utility in 2005, the Fondation François Schneider has been carrying out its dual educational and artistic roles ever since it was founded. The Foundation enables secondary school pupils from underprivileged backgrounds to access higher education by offering them grants. It also assists contemporary artists working on the theme of water, supporting their creative process and the diffusion of their work.
Founded in 2013 in a former spa resort in the Alsatian village of Wattwiller, the Centre d'Art Contemporain offers visitors over 2,500m2 of exhibition space dedicated to the theme of water. A former bottling workshop transformed and expanded to become an art gallery, its architecture is bright and transparent. The building also boasts a panoramic terrace, a bookstore, a café and an auditorium.
Through various initiatives, including the “Talents Contemporains” competition, the Foundation supports visual artists in developing their careers, especially by acquiring their work and organising annual exhibitions. The Foundation boosts the visibility of artists through its publications, loans of works and touring exhibitions as well as artist residencies.
At the same time, other exhibitions dedicated to more established artists are regularly organised and allow the centre to attract a high number of visitors. In recent years, visitors have had the chance to view works by Kader Attia, Harry Gruyaert, Fabrice Hyber, Anish Kapoor, Claude Lévêque, Martin Parr, Michel Ange Pistoletto, Fabrizio Plessi, Hiroshi Sugimoto, NILS-UDO and Bill Viola.
A cultural programme of events (meetings with artists and curators, concerts, screenings, educational workshops, conferences, guided tours) takes place throughout the year.
A garden of sculptures and installations allows visitors to enjoy a pleasant walk among works by artists from the 20th and 21st centuries, including Niki de Saint-Phalle, Pol Bury, Sylvie de Meurville, or Renaud Auguste-Dormeuil. Water in many forms – fountains, pools, spinning tops – accompany the visitor in a natural setting.
Founded in 2013 in a former spa resort in the Alsatian village of Wattwiller, the Centre d'Art Contemporain offers visitors over 2,500m2 of exhibition space dedicated to the theme of water. A former bottling workshop transformed and expanded to become an art gallery, its architecture is bright and transparent. The building also boasts a panoramic terrace, a bookstore, a café and an auditorium.
Through various initiatives, including the “Talents Contemporains” competition, the Foundation supports visual artists in developing their careers, especially by acquiring their work and organising annual exhibitions. The Foundation boosts the visibility of artists through its publications, loans of works and touring exhibitions as well as artist residencies.
At the same time, other exhibitions dedicated to more established artists are regularly organised and allow the centre to attract a high number of visitors. In recent years, visitors have had the chance to view works by Kader Attia, Harry Gruyaert, Fabrice Hyber, Anish Kapoor, Claude Lévêque, Martin Parr, Michel Ange Pistoletto, Fabrizio Plessi, Hiroshi Sugimoto, NILS-UDO and Bill Viola.
A cultural programme of events (meetings with artists and curators, concerts, screenings, educational workshops, conferences, guided tours) takes place throughout the year.
A garden of sculptures and installations allows visitors to enjoy a pleasant walk among works by artists from the 20th and 21st centuries, including Niki de Saint-Phalle, Pol Bury, Sylvie de Meurville, or Renaud Auguste-Dormeuil. Water in many forms – fountains, pools, spinning tops – accompany the visitor in a natural setting.
