Yves Robert on Leading Art Schools: From Valence to Lyon

In a 2011 interview with art press, Yves Robert recounts his trajectory from working at Le Magasin in Grenoble and the Institut d'art contemporain de Villeurbanne to directing art schools in Valence and Lyon. At Valence's École des beaux-arts (1993–1998), he discovered the complexity and diversity of art education, contrasting it with the spectacle-driven art centers. He emphasized inviting artists like Peter Downsbrough, Stéphane Calais, and Valérie Jouve for workshops and exhibitions, and supported the editorial activities of Éditions Erba and the collection 222. The school's relocation involved an amphitheater placed at the center, a decision Robert reinforced. At Lyon's École nationale des beaux-arts (from 1999), he restructured pedagogy, dissolved the communication option, and initiated a regular exhibition program in the hall. He also invited critics and philosophers for general culture courses and worked to reintegrate applied arts programs. Robert reflects on the balance between solitary leadership and collective projects, often collaborating with teacher Joël Tardy. The interview was conducted by Emmanuel Tibloux at Villa Arson.