The Ministry of Culture will contribute to the creation of a national network of vocal art centres, formed around groups identified for their commitment in artistic production and arts education, established for several years in their territory. Following the mission on the transmission of vocal culture and the enhancement of choral heritage, this initiative is part of the commitment of the Ministry of Culture in the choral plan, An essential component of the project for the generalisation of arts and cultural education for children and young people carried out by the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of National Education and Youth.
In particular, these centres will have to reinforce essential missions in the field of vocal art, such as the transmission and professional integration, arts education activities, the influence of the repertoire in particular a cappella and the sharing of resources.
Accentus, choir founded and directed by Laurence Equilbey, will carry the first of them, with the public support of the Ministry of Culture, the City of Paris, the Île-de-France region, the Rouen Opera, the Normandy Region and the main patronage of the Bettencourt Schueller Foundation. Several more will follow by the end of 2020.
Franck Riester, Minister of Culture, said: By means of the voice, the instrument that everyone has at their disposal, vocal art is essentially the art of sharing and listening to each other. At the heart of the choral plan, national vocal art centres must become the pillars of this universal artistic practice ».