American Center (Paris)
Centre américain de Paris | |
| File:American Center Paris.jpg The historic building at 261 Boulevard Raspail, — circa 1980, prior to its demolition. | |
| Formation | 1934 |
|---|---|
| Type | Cultural and artistic institution |
| Location |
|
The American Center (also known as the Centre américain de Paris) was an American cultural and artistic institution located in Paris, France. Founded in 1934,[1] it served as a prominent venue for cultural exchange, contemporary art, dance, and music, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, before closing in 1996.[2][3]
History
The center was originally established by the American Episcopalian congregation in Paris, with the goal of keeping young Americans away from the negative influences of Paris cafés.[4]
Origins and Boulevard Raspail (1934–1986)
The institution originated in 1922 as the United States Students' and Artists' Club, founded by the clergy of the American Cathedral in Paris at 107 Boulevard Raspail.[1], and this initial location hosted the American Theater in Paris.
In 1934, the organization officially became the American Center for Students and Artists and relocated to a larger property at 261 Boulevard Raspail in the Montparnasse quarter.[1] The new campus featured buildings situated within a park, which included a historic Lebanon cedar tree planted by writer François-René de Chateaubriand.[5]
The prime Montparnasse campus provided various facilities for the community, including a library, a billiard room, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and a restaurant.[4]
During the post-war decades, the American Center became a major hub for avant-garde art and cultural events. From May to June 1963, it hosted the exhibition "De A à Z", marking the first time young American Pop Art artists, including Andy Warhol, were exhibited in Europe.[1] From 1964 to 1973, it became a focal point for the revival of folk music through weekly hootenanny evenings created and managed by Lionel Rocheman, which provided early career platforms for musicians like Alan Stivell and Graeme Allwright.[6]
In the 1970s and 1980s, the center shifted heavily toward contemporary dance and multimedia art. It hosted prominent American figures such as Merce Cunningham, John Cage, Bob Wilson, Lucinda Childs, Nam June Paik, and Trisha Brown.[7] The center's African dance and expression classes, led by Jeanine Claes, became highly influential in Europe and attracted notable French cinema figures, including Isabelle Adjani and Isabelle Huppert.[8] On November 12, 1976, the French rock band Sémolina gave a concert at the center; the performance brought together musicians Jean-Louis Aubert, Louis Bertignac, and Corine Marienneau, who formed the famous French rock group Téléphone shortly thereafter.
Bercy relocation and closure (1986–1996)
In 1986, the American Center sold its historic property at 261 Boulevard Raspail. The site was acquired by the Fondation Cartier pour l'Art Contemporain, which commissioned architect Jean Nouvel to build its new glass-and-steel headquarters on the grounds, completed in 1994.[9]
The American Center moved to the Bercy area in the 12th arrondissement, commissioning Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry to design a highly modern new facility at 51 Rue de Bercy, which opened in 1994.[9] However, the high costs associated with the new building's construction and operation led to severe financial difficulties. Despite attempts to restructure, the institution was forced to cease all operations and permanently close in 1996.[10]
Legacy
Following the closure of the center, the French Ministry of Culture repurposed the Frank Gehry-designed building at 51 Rue de Bercy. In September 2005, the facility officially reopened to the public as the new home of the Cinémathèque Française and the Bibliothèque du Film.[11]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Delanoë, Nelcya (1994). Le Raspail vert: l'American Center à Paris, 1934-1994, une histoire des avant-gardes franco-américaines. Seghers. ISBN 2-232-10346-3 Search this book on
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- ↑ "American Center in Paris". The Bohen Foundation. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ "Archiweb - American Cultural Center". www.archiweb.cz. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "American Center (Paris)". Itineraries of a Hummingbird. Retrieved 2026-09-28.
- ↑ GUIBERT, HERVÉ (1981-09-24). "L'argile du créateur". Le Monde (in français). ISSN 1950-6244. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- ↑ Gasnault, François (2015). "Hootenanny au Centre américain". L'Homme (215-216): 149–169.
- ↑ Boisseau, Rosita (5 September 2019). "Henry Pillsbury, ancien directeur de l'American Center à Paris, est mort". Le Monde (in français).
- ↑ Lefevre, Betty (2015). "Chercheuse et danseuse : Du genre incorporé". Recherches en danse (3).
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Gibson, Michael (14 May 1994). "Cartier Foundation's Glass House". The New York Times.
- ↑ Lebovici, Élisabeth (25 January 1996). "Cessation d'activités à l'American Center de Paris". Libération.
- ↑ "La Cinémathèque française de Frank Gehry". Les Echos (in français). 2005-08-09. Archived from the original on 2025-01-23. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
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