Claire Nicolas to Lead Lectoure Art and Photography Center
Claire Nicolas, 32, has been named the new director of the Centre d'art et de photographie de Lectoure (CAPL), taking over from Lydie Marchi. Her appointment was sanctioned by the French Ministry of Culture on May 21, 2026, following a unanimous recommendation from the jury. Nicolas has an extensive background, having served at Le Magasin in Grenoble and as the artistic director of the Mois de la Photo for five years. She also contributed to the Rencontres de la photographie d'Arles in 2017 and 2018. Her vision for CAPL focuses on fostering a dialogue between photography and contemporary art, while also increasing support for artists and engaging the public. Founded in 1991, CAPL presents 7-10 exhibitions each year and anticipates a funding cut of 7,400 euros in 2025.
Key facts
- Claire Nicolas appointed director of Centre d'art et de photographie de Lectoure (CAPL)
- Nomination approved by French Ministry of Culture on unanimous jury recommendation from May 21, 2026
- Successor to Lydie Marchi, who directed from January 2024 to March 2025
- Nicolas graduated from ENSP Arles in 2019 and worked at Le Magasin in Grenoble
- She served as artistic director of Mois de la Photo in Grenoble for five years
- Laureate of 'La Relève' program by Ministry of Culture and Sciences Po
- CAPL is the only contemporary art center specialized in photography in Occitanie
- CAPL holds label Centre d'art contemporain d'intérêt national since 2020
- Annual visitors: 9,000 to 12,000; exhibitions: 7 to 10 per year
- Public funding reduced by 7,400 euros in 2025: Region -5%, Department -10%
- City of Lectoure maintained 30,000 euros; DRAC subsidy was 135,000 euros in 2024
- Nicolas's project focuses on hybrid practices, ecology, and public engagement
Entities
Artists
- Claire Nicolas
- Lydie Marchi
- Dominique Paillarse
Institutions
- Centre d'art et de photographie de Lectoure (CAPL)
- Ministère de la Culture
- Région Occitanie
- Département du Gers
- Ville de Lectoure
- Arrêt sur images
- École nationale supérieure de la photographie d'Arles
- Le Magasin
- Rencontres de la photographie d'Arles
- Maison de l'Image
- Sciences Po
- Mille formes
Locations
- Lectoure
- France
- Arles
- Grenoble
- Montpellier
- Occitanie
- Gers