French Museums Reinvent Education with In-House Micro-Schools
Established in 2019, the micro-school "Inspire" located at the Lambert Collection in Avignon caters to approximately twelve CM1-CM2 students chosen by the Éducation nationale. Each day, students journey from École Mistral to the museum, beginning their classes with an emotional check-in. Mornings are dedicated to traditional subjects, while afternoons focus on hands-on activities with artworks. The initiative is bolstered by collaborations with local cultural organizations, featuring furniture designed by artists and a radio project led by Charlie Aubry. With a remarkable 98% return-to-school rate, the program is documented by Laure-Hélène Swinnen. A professional day titled "Art & Éducation" is scheduled for September 15, and the CAPC in Bordeaux will unveil an "école-exposition" in November, showcasing a Thomas Hirschhorn installation.
Key facts
- Micro-school Inspire at Lambert Collection in Avignon was created in 2019 for students in décrochage scolaire.
- The program has a 98% return-to-school rate after students leave.
- Artist Fabienne Guilbert Burgoa designed the classroom furniture.
- A professional day "Art & Éducation" will be held on September 15.
- CAPC in Bordeaux will host an école-exposition in a Thomas Hirschhorn installation from November to January.
- Fourteen students from École du théâtre national Bordeaux en Aquitaine will participate in the CAPC program.
- Centre Pompidou-Metz's school without roof or walls was inspired by Boris Charmatz's book "Je suis une école" (2009).
- Shigeru Ban will lead the Centre Pompidou-Metz school for 2026–2027.
Entities
Artists
- Tiphanie Romain
- Tiphaine Colléter
- Charlie Aubry
- Fabienne Guilbert Burgoa
- Laure-Hélène Swinnen
- Pauline Abascal
- Laurent Sarazin
- Thomas Hirschhorn
- Fanny de Chaillé
- Sandra Patron
- Boris Charmatz
- Maurizio Cattelan
- Annette Messager
- Shigeru Ban
- Jean de Gastines
- Chiara Parisi
- Shakespeare
Institutions
- Collection Lambert
- École Mistral
- Fondation Culture & Diversité
- Ministère de l'Éducation
- Ministère de la Culture
- Ministère de l'Agriculture
- Mucem
- GwinZegal
- CAPC
- École du théâtre national Bordeaux en Aquitaine
- Centre Pompidou-Metz
- Les Prairies ordinaires
Locations
- Avignon
- France
- Bordeaux
- Metz
- Japan