Le Fresnoy

Le Fresnoy – Studio national des arts contemporains is an institution for training, production and distribution in the audiovisual and digital arts. Its aim is to enable young artists from all over the world to create works using professional technical resources in a decompartmentalised environment open to all forms of expression. Its field of work, both theoretical and practical, covers all audiovisual languages, from traditional (photography, film and video) to digital creation. Opened in October 1997, it is housed on the site of a former popular entertainment complex which was in operation from 1905 to 1977. Around this the Franco-Swiss architect Bernard Tschumi designed an entirely new building, preserving the spaces of the old one within. The result has been widely acclaimed in France and internationally as one of the most original works of contemporary architecture of its time. Le Fresnoy – Studio national is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and the Hauts-de-France Region, with the participation of the City of Tourcoing. Alain Fleischer developed its guiding concept and led its artistic and educational direction until December 2024. Isabelle Gaudefroy took up the position of director in February 2026.