Directors of culture from 1959 to the present day

As part of the National School of Charters and in partnership with the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture, it was launched in 2016, under the direction of Florence Descamps, lecturer at the EPHE, associate teacher at the National School of Charters, Vice-President of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture, a program of oral archives of the type "career stories" of senior officials who have worked in the world of culture and arts since the beginning of the V^e Republic.

Witnesses

• Alain AUCLAIREBorn in 1940, Deputy Director-General of the CNC (1985-1989), Vice-President of the Management Committee of the European Fund for Support for the Production and Dissemination of Cinematographic and Audiovisual Works (Eurimages) (1988-1989), Director-General of the Société française de production et de création audiovisuelles (SFP) (1989-1991), Director of the Caisse nationale des monuments historiques et des sites (1991-1994), President of the Ecole nationale supérieure des métiers de l'image et du son (FEMIS) (1998-2004), General Inspection Officer of the Administration of Cultural Affairs (2005-2007), Vice-President of the Commission for Selective Financial Support for the Distribution of Cinematographic Works (2006-2008), member of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture (2002) and Vice-President (2007-2013). Dates: 23 and 29/03/2017; 20 and 24/04/2017 - duration: 10h 13min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Jérome BOUËT, born in 1953, Regional Director of Cultural Affairs of Aquitaine (1989-1992), Deputy Delegate for Plastic Arts at the Ministry of Culture and Communication (1992-1993), Assistant Director for Financial and General Affairs at the Directorate of General Administration (1993-1998), Head of Department and Deputy Director of General Administration at the Ministry of Culture and Communication (1997-1998), Regional Director of Cultural Affairs of Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur (1999-2004), Director of Music, of dance, theatre and performances (2004-2006) at the Ministry of Culture and Communication, regional director of cultural affairs of Rhône-Alpes (2006-2008), advisor in charge of heritage, architecture, higher education, of arts and cultural education and territorial action in the office of the Minister of Culture and Communication (Christine Albanel) (2008-2009), inspector general of cultural affairs in 2010 and member of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture (2011). Dates: 23/01/2019; 06 and 20/02/2019; 15/03/2019 – duration: 6h 13min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Frédérique BREDINBorn in 1956, appointed by Jack Lang, Minister Responsible for Culture, to study cultural industries (1984). Appointed Technical Advisor (Film, Audiovisual) to the Office of the Minister of Culture, Jack Lang (1984). In charge of cultural affairs at the General Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic (1986-1988), appointed Minister for Youth and Sports (1991-1993). National Secretary of the PS, in charge of culture (1994-1995), member of the Joint Information Committee on the Written Press in the National Assembly (1997). Charged by the Prime Minister (Lionel Jospin), on the proposal of the Minister of Culture and Communication, Catherine Trautmann, with a mission on the perspectives of financing of public broadcasting (1998). President of the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC) (2013-2019), administrator of the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma (César) (2020). Dates: 28/01/2022; 1^er, 14 and 28/02/2022; 18/03/2022 - duration: 8h 25min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Véronique CAYLA, born in 1950, in charge of mission at the Fonds d'intervention culturelle (FIC) (1973-1976) (Ministry of Cultural Affairs), technical adviser in the office of the Secretary of State for Culture, Michel Guy (1976-1977), in charge of mission (responsible for the problems of cinema, cinema-television relations and artistic creation) in the office of the Secretary of State for Culture Michel Guy (1978 -1981). Director of the Vidéothèque de Paris (1983-1989), then CEO of the MK2 group (1992-1998). Member of the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel (CSA) (1992-1998), in charge of audiovisual production, the French Overseas Territories (including RFO), the Music and Audiovisual dossier and the Fifth ARTE. Director General of the Cannes Film Festival (2001-2005). Appointed by the Minister of Culture and Communication, Jean-Jacques Aillagon to chair the working group on the relations between television and music (2003). Executive Director of the National Cinematography Centre (CNC) (2005-2009). President of the Centre national de la cinématographie et de l'image animée (CNC) (2009-2011), then Chairman of the Board of ARTE France (2011-2020). President since 2020 of the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma (César). Dates: 10/02/2022; 17 and 28/03/2022, 04/05/2022 - duration: 6h 09min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Olivier DONNATBorn in 1952, sociologist, lecturer at the Department of Studies, Foresight and Statistics (DEPS) of the Ministry of Culture. He is notably the author of: The French face culture. From exclusion to eclecticism (La Découverte, 1994), The cultural practices of the French: 1997 survey (La Documentation française, 1998), Cross-views on cultural practices (La Documentation française, 2003), Cultural Practices in the Digital Age (La Découverte, 2009), member of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture (2018). Dates: 14/02/2019; 14/03/2019 – duration: 3h 04min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Bernard FAIVRE D'ARCIER, born in 1944, head of the division of cultural interventions in the direction of theatre, houses of culture and letters to the State Secretariat for Culture (1972-1977), delegate of the Director General (Michel Roux) for the coordination and external action of the National Audiovisual Institute (INA) (1978-1979), member of the French Commission of UNESCO (1979-1984), director of the Festival d'Avignon (1979-1984), technical adviser (culture) in the Office of the Prime Minister (Laurent Fabius) (1984-1986), Chairman of the Executive Board of the (SEPT) Société d'édition de programmes de télévision, exploiting the 7th channel which will become ARTE (1986), Director of Theatre and Shows at the Ministry of Culture, Communication, Major Works and the Bicentenary (1989-1992), artistic director of the Festival d'Avignon (1992), president of the International Fund for the Promotion of Culture (UNESCO) (1993-1996), member of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture (2007). Dates: 10, 22 and 30/032/2017 – duration: 6h 10min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Thierry LE ROYborn in 1947, Director of the Office of the Minister of Culture, Jack Lang (1984 to 1986), Director of Heritage at the Department of Culture (1986), then Head of the Information Technical and Legal Service (ITLS) (Prime Minister’s Services) (1988 to 1991). Appointed Commissioner of the Conseil Supérieur des Messageries de Presse (CSMP) and member of its Technological Development Committee (1989 to 1991). Chairman of the Board of Directors of the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts (1989 to 1992), Director of Music and Dance at the Ministry of Culture and Communication (1991to 1993). President of the ARTE Programme Advisory Committee (1996), President of the Centre national du costume de scène (CNCS) (2008-2018), Director and Vice-President of the Orchestre de Paris (2011-2018). President of the Conseil supérieur de l'Agence France-Presse (AFP) (2011-2015), and President of France since 2016. Dates: 03 and 11/02/2022; 08/03/2022; 05/04/2022 - duration: 6h 10min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Jean MAHEU, born in 1931, director of youth and socio-educational activities at the Ministry of Youth and Sports (1967-1974), director of music, opera and dance at the State Secretariat for Culture (1974-1979)Vice-President of the Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris and President of the Orchestre de Paris (1974), President of the Centre National d'Art et de Culture Georges Pompidou (1983), Senior Adviser to the Court of Auditors (1985), President and Chief Executive Officer of the Société nationale de radiodiffusion sonore Radio-France (1989-1995), Vice-President of the Commission for the Study of State Cultural Policy with the Minister of Culture, President of the Théâtre de la Ville (1996), presides over the Commission de récolement des dépôts d'oeuvres d'art (1997). Dates: 09, 16 and 30/06/2016; 14/04/2016 – duration: 9h 16min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Francine MARIANI-DUCRAY, born in 1954, Head of the Budget Office in the General Administration Directorate (1977-1979), Technical Advisor in the Office of the Minister of Culture and Communication (François Léotard) (1986-1988), Deputy Administrator of the Louvre Museum (1989-1991), Director of General Administration at the Ministry of Culture and Communication (1993-1998), Head of the General Inspection Service of the Administration of Cultural Affairs (1998-2001), Director of Museums of France (2001-2008), President of the Réunion des musées nationaux (2001-2003), Vice-President of the Cité nationale de l'histoire de l'immigration (2005), Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Académie de France in Rome (Italy) (2008-2011), administrator of the public establishment of the musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac (2010-2018), member of the Conseil supérieur de l'audiovisuel (CSA) (2011-2017), chair of the board of directors of the association Orchestre de Paris (2018), member of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture. Dates: 25/01/2019; 05/04/2019 – duration: 4h 05min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Christian PATTYN, born in 1937, Regional Director of Cultural Affairs in Île-de-France (1974), Director of Heritage at the Ministry of Culture and Communication (1978), Head of the General Inspection of the Administration of Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture (1991-1998), President of the Le Corbusier Foundation (1993), President of the Urban and Rural League (2004-2013), Vice-President of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Cultural Institutions (2000-2007), President of the French Archaeological Society (2005-2011). Dates: 10/01/2018; 09 and 23/02/2018; 09/03/2018 - duration: 11h 31min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Jacques RENARDBorn in 1949, Head of the Division of Cultural Interventions in the Cultural Houses and Cultural Animation Sub-Directorate (Theatre and Houses of Culture Directorate) (1975-1980). Technical adviser in the office of the Minister of Culture, Jack Lang (1982-1986), appointed chief of staff (1986). Deputy Director in the Cultural Development Directorate at the Ministry of Culture (1986), Deputy Delegate in the Plastic Arts Directorate (1986-1988). Appointed Deputy Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Culture, Jack Lang (1988-1991), Government Commissioner at the Centre national d'art et de culture Georges Pompidou (1990-1992). Director General of the Public Institution of the Bibliothèque de France (1993-1994), President of the Centre des monuments nationaux (2000-2002). Commissioned by the Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC) to evaluate the European Fund for the Co-production and Dissemination of Cinematographic and Audiovisual Works Eurimages (2002). Director of the Centre national de la chanson, des variétés et du jazz (2010-2014). Managing director of Think Culture (News Tank culture) (since 2015), administrator of the association Orchestre de Paris (since 2018). Dates: 08, 15, 17 and 22/02/2022; 10/03/2022 - duration: 12h 30min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Catherine TASCA, born in 1941, head of the office of houses of culture, director of the house of culture of Grenoble (1973-1977), general administrator of the ensemble Inter Contemporain (1978-1982), co-director of the SARL Théâtre de Nanterre-Amandiers (1982-1986), member of the Commission nationale de la communication et des libertés (CNCL) (1986-1988), Minister Delegate to the Minister of Culture and Communication (Jack Lang), responsible for Communication (1988-1991), then Minister Delegate to the Francophonie to the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Roland Dumas) (1991-1992), Secretary of State for the Francophonie and External Relations to the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs (Roland Dumas) (1992-1993), advisor to the President and CEO of Canal + (André Rousselet then Pierre Lescure) (1993-1997), Chairman of the Board of Directors of Canal + Horizon SA (Canal + subsidiary) (1993-1997), Minister of Culture and Communication (Government Lionel Jospin) (2000-2002). Dates: 23/01/2018; 08/02/2018; 20/03/2018 – duration: 4h. [Read the interview instructions]
• Alain TRAPENARD, born in 1930, technical adviser to the office of the Minister of State for Cultural Affairs (André Malraux) (1963-1968), director of cultural action, youth and sports at the Prefecture of Paris (1968-1977), president of the public establishment of the Musée du XIX^th century (1978), Chief Adviser to the Court of Auditors (1982-1998), President of the Haute-Normandie Regional Audit Chamber (1982-1997), President of the Orchestre de Paris (1985-1989), Vice-President of the Théâtre de la Ville (1996), administrator as representative of the State, of the National Museums Meeting (2001-2004), member of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture (1997-2017) and then honorary member (2018). Dates: 15, 22 and 28/03/2017; 12/04/2017 – duration: 9h 31min. [Read the interview instructions]
• Germain VIATTE, born in 1939, inspector of provincial museums (1963-1965), then principal inspector of fine arts, participated in the creation of the Centre national d'art contemporain (CNAC) and the Centre national d'art et de culture Georges Pompidou (1966-1969), secretary general of the CNAC (1970-1972), then curator of the collections department of the Musée national d'art moderne at the Centre Georges Pompidou (1975-1985), director of the museums of the city of Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône) (1985-1989), head of the general inspection of classified and controlled museums (1989-1991), Director of the National Museum of Modern Art and the Centre de création industrielle at the Centre national d'art et de culture Georges Pompidou (1992-1997), President of the Scientific Council for Museum Heritage of XX^th century (1994-1997), director of the Mission de préfiguration pour la création du Musée de l'homme, des Arts et des Civilisations dit "Musée des Arts Premiers" (1997-1999), director of the museological project of the public establishment of the musée du quai Branly (1999-2005), member of the Board of Directors of the public establishment of the Porte Dorée-Cité national de l'histoire de l'immigration (2007-2010), member of the History Committee of the Ministry of Culture (1997-2017), then honorary member (2018). Dates: 12/01/2018; 06/02/2018; 09/03/2018 – duration: 6 h 53 min. [Read the interview instructions]

Investigators

Students of the Ecole nationale des chartes: Geneviève Alday, Aurélien Arnaud, Marie Auzel, Iannis Baillagou, Antoine Beckius, Clémence Bécquet, Caroline Benoit, Marie Bolot, Louis Borel de Bretizel, Olivier Boudier, François Bouquet, Johana Cador, François Caillibot, Elisabeth Charron, Leo Collinet, Juliette Curien-Mangel, Quentin Delvaux, Cyril Durain, Oriane Durand, Pierre Fabry, Camille Froment, Axelle Goupy, Louise Gousseau, Anne-Sophie Grollemund, Luc Grosshens, Maxime Guebey, Louis Gundermann, Maxence Habran, Anne Hédé-Haüy, Adrien Isnel, Anne-Pauline Jarry, Mélissande Krypiec, Mallaury Lagresle, Gaétan Mastere, Paul Lescuyer, Colette Loutrel, Jean-Baptiste Lucq, Olivier Martin, Basile Meyer, Corentin Morisot, Flavien Piovano, Julien Portal, Anaëlle Pourteau, Eléonore Quirouard-Frileuse, Pia Rigaldies, Eva Ripoteau, Adélaïde Savy, Quentin Schoumacher, Louison Tessier, Léa Weill.

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Conversation dates: 2016 - 2022

Total duration of the corpus: 112h 25min. [Read the introduction on the Catalogue of Heritage Libraries]

Availability: Communicable according to Articles L.213-1 to L.213-7 of the French Heritage Code. Information and consultation methods : [comitehistoire@culture.gouv.fr]