Circle of Patrons of Culture
Following the law of 1 August 2003 on patronage, associations and foundations, distinctions have been created for patrons of culture. A decree of the Minister of Culture of 7 September 2005 officially instituted them. This decree and its implementing decree were updated in October 2016.
Made into gold or silver medals created by Philippe Favier. They were made of soft porcelain in the Scout Molding Workshop of Sèvres-Cité de la Céramique, by stamping in a plaster mould, and hand retouching. After the first cookie is baked at 1245°C, the Sèvres blue is placed in the bottom setting and cooked at 1120°C. A colourless enamel is then placed on the blue to reveal it during a third cooking at 1120°C. The gold fillets and rings are made with a freehand the gilding spinning workshop, and cook at 800°C. The gold, coming out of the baking mat, is then browned in the burnishing workshop to give it its shine.
These distinctions bring together around the ministry the main benefactors of French cultural life thus united in a Circle with which lasting relations are established by the mission of patronage and those responsible for patronage of the departments and establishments of the ministry. These distinctions are intended to demonstrate the recognition of France to natural persons – “major donors” and “donors” - and legal persons (companies, foundations and associations) - “major patrons” and “patrons” -, which through their acts of support and generosity have made an outstanding contribution to the cultural development of our country.
