Mission
Correspondaences is a mutual aid community bringing together artists and professionals in the art and culture sectors in France and Lebanon.
The mission of Correspondaences is in constant evolution, and the initiatives undertaken take various forms. We work on projects that we believe are the most suitable during crisis and emergency situations.
History
Established in February 2021 in response to the explosion at the Port of Beirut on August 4, 2020, Correspondaences began as a platform for exchange and support open to requests from cultural actors in Lebanon. With the support of the Ministry of Culture in France, this initiative became a registered association under French law (loi 1901).
During the first two years (2021/22), exchanges primarily took place between France and Lebanon. Subsequently, for two consecutive years, Correspondaences focused its activities mainly in Lebanon, marking the opening of the 'Salon Correspondaences' in 2022/23, which hosted a series of events and conversations proposed by professionals in the art and culture sectors.
In 2024, facing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the association chose to respond to the call of a group of institutions in France through the PAUSE program to support Palestinian artists from Gaza.
Programs
2024
PAUSE Program
Correspondaences is a partner in an initiative launched by the Arab World Institute and SINGA, which allows for the temporary hosting of artists from Gaza (with their spouses and children if applicable) for one year in France under dignified living and working conditions, within the framework of artistic residencies, research programs, or cultural programming.
This initiative is part of the program PAUSE that aims to encourage the reception in France of researchers and artists at risk who can no longer carry out their work freely in their countries of origin. It is initiated by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and supported by the Collège de France.
2021-2023
Salon Correspondaences
Located in Beirut in the heart of Achrafieh in a former apartment on Rue du Liban, the Correspondances Salon offered throughout the year a series of informal meetings for artists and cultural professionals.
Portfolio Support
Support program for the development of a portfolio or the drafting of a project for an early-career artist. The exchange takes place over a minimum of 4 sessions and a maximum of 2 months.
Travel Grant
This grant is intended for artists or cultural actors working in Lebanon for a short stay in Europe..
Conversations
As artists primarily need to exchange ideas about their work and meet key individuals who could advise them, Correspondaences started with series of tailored conversations and support between artists and correspondents.
The Community
In addition to the founding members (Tarek Atoui, Sandra Dagher, Joana Hadjithomas, Khalil Joreige, and Sandra Terdjman), the association has brought together a community of "Correspondents" willing to donate their time and share their expertise with the Lebanese artistic community.
Below are the "Correspondents" who have participated in the initiative:
Alexandra Baudelot, Alexandre Guirkinger, Ali Cherri, Amanda Abi Khalil, Anne Dressen, Anthony Sahyoun, Antoine Atallah, Arno Bertina, Bashar Mar-Khalifé, Blanche de Lestrange, Carole Schoucair, Charles Berberian, Christian Sebille, Clement Dirié, Daniel Blanga Gubbay, Elena Sorokina, Eric Baudelaire, Fadi Tabbal, Franck Leibovici, Gregory Buchakjian, Grégory Castéra, Ida Soulard, Jean Michel Frodon, Joanna Chevalier, Joseph Ghosn, Ghada Waked, Karina el Helou, Laure Flammarion, Lina Ghotmeh, Marc Baroud, Marcella Lista, Marine Bougaran, Marta Gili, Mattias Enard, Mayssa Abou Rahal, Mélanie Bouteloup, Mia Habis, Morad Montazami, Nadim Asfar, Nataša Petrešin-Bachelez, Nayla Tamraz, Noé Soulier, Omar Rajeh, Pierre France, Rabih Kayrouz, Rasha Salah, Rasha Salti, Remi Bonhomme, Roy Dib, Roy Samaha, Sam Bardaouil et Till Fellrath, Serge Akl, Sirine Fattouh, Tamara AlSamerraei, Tina Baz, Youssef Tohmé.
To find out more about our activities and stay updated, please follow our Instagram page.
You can also contact us at info@correspondaences.org
