Paris City Hall Reverses Funding Cuts to FRAC Île-de-France's Le Plateau After Artist Protest

In response to significant protests from both the French and global art communities, the Paris City Council decided on December 11, 2017, to continue funding for Le Plateau, the exhibition venue of FRAC Île-de-France located in Belleville. This decision came after the city administration had previously declared an end to financial support for FRAC Île-de-France and Le Plateau, igniting mobilization via social media and press outlets. An open letter in Libération, signed by notable artists such as Sophie Calle, Philippe Decrauzat, and Hans-Ulrich Obrist, called on Mayor Anne Hidalgo to rethink the funding cuts. Established in 1982, FRAC has promoted contemporary art across France. Le Plateau, operational since 2002, has showcased free exhibitions featuring various artists. The FRAC Île-de-France Facebook page later expressed gratitude to supporters and confirmed that the 2018 program would largely continue as planned.