American Center for Art and Culture

Through a multidisciplinary program of exhibitions, events, and educational outreach, the American Center for Art and Culture's (formerly Mona Bismarck American Center) mission is to engage visitors in a dialogue with the depth and diversity of the current American cultural scene.[1]

American Center for art and culture
Location of the American Center for Art and culture in Paris
Established1986
Location34 Avenue de New York 75116 Paris, France
Coordinates48.863107°N 2.294819°E / 48.863107; 2.294819
PresidentKaren Altuzarra, Président (US) et Anne-Hélène Monsellato (France)
Public transit accessIéna
Alma-Marceau
Websitewww.americancenterparis.org

The current Center was launched in 2011, based on the legacy of the Mona Bismarck Foundation, which became active in 1986 following the death of its founder and sole benefactor. The American philanthropist Countess Mona von Bismarck donated her Parisian townhouse and the majority of her estate to found the Mona Bismarck Foundation, as "her desire was to establish a Cultural Centre in Paris to enhance the cause of American/French friendship upon her death".[2]

On July 4, 2019, the Mona Bismarck American Center became American Center for Art and Culture.

History

The Center

Located on the Seine, across from the Eiffel Tower, the hôtel particulier, or Parisian townhouse, was built at the end of the 19th century. It was reconfigured for Mona Bismarck in the late 1950s by French interior decorator Stéphane Boudin. The building was featured in a 1928 issue of Vogue.[3]

Programming

Exhibitions

One exhibition of American art is presented each year in partnership with international institutions. Exhibitions focus on a single artist or theme and represent a range of artistic styles and movements.

"Under the Horse-Chestnut Tree", painting from 1896 - 1897 by Mary Cassatt (1844-1926). Courtesy of Google Art Project

Past exhibitions

  • Quilt Art: Patchwork Art

February 13 – May 19, 2013

  • Mary Cassatt in Paris: Prints and Drawings from the Ambroise Vollard Collection

September 26, 2012 – January 20, 2013

  • The Wyeths: Three Generations of American Art (Bank of America Merrill Lynch Collection)

November 10, 2011 – February 12, 2012

July 3 – September 22, 2013

October 16, 2013 – January 26, 2014

March, 12 – July 17, 2016

  • Landscape with a Ruin. Evan Roth

October 2017- November 2017

Publics programs

The American Center for Art and Culture invites the public to discover American culture through a program of concerts, performances and discussions . The center is also often rented out for private events at night.

Education

The program Look & Learn aim to broaden French students’ appreciation of American culture and art and while creating a friendly environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves in English.

Images of Center
  • Interior Lobby of Center
  • Detail of Center, Chandelier
  • Stairway
  • Library

Exhibition samples
  • Yousuf Karsh, Martha Graham, 1948
  • Mary Cassatt, Under the Horse-Chestnut Tree, 1896-1897
  • Mary Cassatt, The Lamp, 1890-1891
  • Mary Cassatt, In the Omnibus, 1890-1891
  • Mary Cassatt, The Barefooted Child, 1896-1897
  • Mary Cassatt, Portrait of the Artist, 1878

References
  1. BUSINESS, BFM. "La tendance philanthropique: Mona Bismarck American Center propose l'exposition Wasteland - 04/04". BFM BUSINESS (in French). Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  2. Rajakaruna, C. "Mona Bismarck Foundation: Its Background Information and the Role It Plays in the American Community Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine." United States Embassy France. Retrieved 24 Apr. 2013.
  3. "MONA VON BISMARCK." Voguepedia. Vogue, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. <http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Mona_von_Bismarck Archived 2013-05-31 at the Wayback Machine>.

Further reading
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