Reims and Poitiers Art Schools Open New Buildings in a Climate of Budget Cuts
This autumn marks the opening of new facilities at two French art institutions: the École supérieure d'art et de design (Esad) in Reims and the École européenne supérieure de l'image (Eesi) in Poitiers, with respective budgets of €42 million and €18 million. Grand Reims contributed €29 million to the Reims project, while Poitiers received €14.3 million from the City and Grand Poitiers. Initiated in 2014 following local elections, Esad's new 7,500 sq m building was designed by architect Jean-Pierre Lott, and Eesi's 4,500 sq m low-tech facility was created by Cosa. Eesi students will commence classes in late September, while Esad students will begin on 2 November. Additionally, Eesi welcomes its new director-general, Audry Liseron-Monfils, appointed in September.
Key facts
- The Esad in Reims and the Eesi in Poitiers are inaugurating new buildings for the 2026 autumn term.
- Construction cost €42 million in Reims (Grand Reims contributing €29 million) and €18 million in Poitiers (€14.3 million from the City and Grand Poitiers).
- The projects originated in 2014 after municipal elections, with backing from Reims mayor Arnaud Robinet and Grand Reims president Catherine Vautrin, and Poitiers mayor Alain Claeys.
- The Esad's new building, designed by architect Jean-Pierre Lott, offers 7,500 sq m of usable space, is 30 metres tall, and sits in the Port Colbert district near the Magasins Généraux.
- The Eesi's new building, by the agency Cosa, offers 4,500 sq m, uses bio-sourced materials and a modular façade of decarbonised concrete and demountable timber.
- Eesi students begin in the new building in late September; Esad students arrive on 2 November.
- The Esad includes a 385 sq m exhibition space for student projects and programming developed with the city's museums.
- Audry Liseron-Monfils became director-general of the Eesi in September.
Entities
Artists
- Éva Hameau
- Céline Savoye
- Arnaud Robinet
- Catherine Vautrin
- Alain Claeys
- Jean-Pierre Lott
- Audry Liseron-Monfils
Institutions
- École supérieure d'art et de design de Reims
- École européenne supérieure de l'image
- Grand Reims
- Grand Poitiers
- Le Journal des Arts
- L'ŒIL
- UMP
- Parti socialiste
- Cosa
- La Cambre
- Institut supérieur des arts
- Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles
- Université Libre de Bruxelles
- École nationale supérieure d'architecture de Normandie
- École d'art Gérard-Jacot
Locations
- Reims
- France
- Poitiers
- Marne
- Vienne
- Couronneries
- Port Colbert
- Rouen
- Belfort
- Belgium
- Brussels