American Center for Art and Culture

The American Center for Art and Culture, formally known as the Mona Bismarck American Center and open from 1986 to 2022, was a venue based in Paris, France that was dedicated to the presentation of American creation and culture.[1]

American Center for art and culture
American Center for Art and Culture is located in Paris
American Center for Art and Culture
Location of the American Center for Art and culture in Paris
Former name
Mona Bismarck American Center
Established1986
Dissolved12 December 2022 (2022-12-12)
Location34 Avenue de New York 75116 Paris, France
Coordinates48.863107°N 2.294819°E / 48.863107; 2.294819
PresidentKaren Altuzarra, Président (US) et Anne-Hélène Monsellato (France)
Public transit accessIéna
Alma-Marceau
Websitewww.americancenterparis.org

The center was launched in 2011, based on the legacy of the Mona Bismarck Foundation, which became active in 1986 following the death of its founder and sole benefactor. The American philanthropist Countess Mona von Bismarck donated her Parisian townhouse and the majority of her estate to found the Mona Bismarck Foundation, as "her desire was to establish a Cultural Centre in Paris to enhance the cause of American/French friendship upon her death".[2]

On 4 July 2019, the Mona Bismarck American Center became the American Center for Art and Culture.[3] On 12 December 2022 it was announced that the center was selling the property, with proceeds going to the American Library in Paris.[1]

History

The Center

Located on the Seine, across from the Eiffel Tower, the hôtel particulier, or townhouse, was built at the end of the 19th century. It was reconfigured for Mona Bismarck in the late 1950s by French interior decorator Stéphane Boudin. The building was featured in a 1928 issue of Vogue.[4]

Programming

Exhibitions

One exhibition of American art was presented each year in partnership with international institutions. Exhibitions focused on a single artist or theme and represented a range of artistic styles and movements.

"Under the Horse-Chestnut Tree", painting from 1896 - 1897 by Mary Cassatt (1844-1926). Courtesy of Google Art Project

Past exhibitions

  • Quilt Art: Patchwork Art

February 13 – May 19, 2013

  • Mary Cassatt in Paris: Prints and Drawings from the Ambroise Vollard Collection

September 26, 2012 – January 20, 2013

  • The Wyeths: Three Generations of American Art (Bank of America Merrill Lynch Collection)

November 10, 2011 – February 12, 2012

July 3 – September 22, 2013

October 16, 2013 – January 26, 2014

March, 12 – July 17, 2016

  • Landscape with a Ruin. Evan Roth

October 2017- November 2017

Public programs

The American Center for Art and Culture invited the public to discover American culture through a program of concerts, performances and discussions Archived 2021-05-09 at the Wayback Machine. The center was also often rented out for private events at night.

Education

The program Look & Learn aimed to broaden French students’ appreciation of American culture and art while creating a friendly environment where students could feel comfortable expressing themselves in English.

Images
  • Interior lobby
    Interior lobby
  • Detail of center, chandelier
    Detail of center, chandelier
  • Stairway
    Stairway
  • Library
    Library

Exhibition samples
  • Yousuf Karsh, Martha Graham, 1948
    Yousuf Karsh, Martha Graham, 1948
  • Mary Cassatt, Under the Horse-Chestnut Tree, 1896-1897
    Mary Cassatt, Under the Horse-Chestnut Tree, 1896-1897
  • Mary Cassatt, The Lamp, 1890-1891
    Mary Cassatt, The Lamp, 1890-1891
  • Mary Cassatt, In the Omnibus, 1890-1891
    Mary Cassatt, In the Omnibus, 1890-1891
  • Mary Cassatt, The Barefooted Child, 1896-1897
    Mary Cassatt, The Barefooted Child, 1896-1897
  • Mary Cassatt, Portrait of the Artist, 1878
    Mary Cassatt, Portrait of the Artist, 1878

References
  1. "The American Center for Art & Culture" (PDF) (Press release). The American Center for Art and Culture. Heymann Associés. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  2. Rajakaruna, C. "Mona Bismarck Foundation: Its Background Information and the Role It Plays in the American Community Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine." United States Embassy France. Retrieved 24 Apr. 2013.
  3. "Independence Day: les 5 sorties à Paris".
  4. "MONA VON BISMARCK." Voguepedia. Vogue, n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. <http://www.vogue.com/voguepedia/Mona_von_Bismarck Archived 2013-05-31 at the Wayback Machine>.
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