On the occasion of a visit to Charleville-Mézières on 3 February 2017 on the site of the future premises of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts de la Marionnette (ESNAM), Audrey Azoulay, Minister of Culture and Communication, announced the creation of a national label for the puppetry arts.
This decision, desired by the entire profession, will enshrine this artistic discipline in the organization of national labels awarded by the State. This label will help to legally and financially strengthen the structures in the long term.
It also presented advances in policy support for the puppetry arts, which completes a plan of more than €800,000, excluding investments, in 2016-2017 (up 15% on a total government contribution to the sector of €5 million).
This plan allows for increased support:
- To companies and to the art teams under contract (+ €200,000);
- To structures dedicated to the puppet and in particular:
- Artist-led companionship venues (+ €195,000);
- the agreed scenes and other venues (+ €185,000);
- At the École Nationale Supérieure des arts de la marionnette. For the first time and with the support of the State (+ 149,000 €), the school welcomes from this year two promotions simultaneously ;
- To World Puppet Theatre Festival (+ €80,000 for the Biennale).
The National School of Puppetry Arts, a school unique in the world
The puppet arts are a millennial discipline and practiced worldwide. They represent a record of excellence for France, supported by a very high level of higher education.
TheNational School of Puppetry Arts (ESNAM)and the International Puppetry Institute constitute a unique institution for initial training, research and accompaniment of contemporary creation.
Starting this year, the outgoing promotion will benefit from the issuance of the new national diploma of professional actor, specialized puppeteer. This advance comes in parallel with the recognition of the profession of puppeteer by the law on the freedom of creation, architecture and heritage of 7 July 2016.
Designed by the architectural firm of Blond and Roux and half financed by the State, the new building will open next September during the World Puppet Theatre Festival.