The Parc Saint Léger – Contemporary Art Center is located in the heart of a verdant park two hours from Paris on the site of a former thermal spa, built in the nineteenth century and renovated in 1998.

The Center has been active on its own premises as well as throughout the department of La Nièvre for more than twenty years. Its mission is to engage with the French and international art scenes while at the same time providing direct access to contemporary art for a wide range of people who live far from major cultural hubs.

The primary aspect of its work is the holding of three original solo or group shows per year in its 460 square meter exhibition space, usually featuring new work. Each exhibition is accompanied by guided visits, workshops and educational materials suitable for all categories of visitors, all free of charge.

The other aspect is a program of off-site outreach exhibitions and workshops led by young artists, with the goal of building strong links between local and budding art-lovers and emerging artists. Conceived in partnership with social or cultural associations and schools, they encourage experimentation by all those involved.

As part of its commitment to enabling the production of and access to contemporary artworks, the Center sponsors several residencies every year, offering artists an environment where they can do research, experiment and blossom. These residencies are granted on open calls for candidates, sometimes in conjunction with other institutions in France and abroad. One of them is an annual sponsorship of a production residency in association with high schools designated as Excellence des métiers d’art by the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regional educational authority. Each of these residencies involve an end-of-residency public presentation in ways and formats that are in line with the specific guest artist’s current project.

Finally, we also put out or co-produce publications linked to our exhibitions. They can be ordered on our Web site or purchased in our reception area. A substantial library comprising these titles and other contemporary art books acquired over the years is available for public on-site consultation.