150+ years of artistic exchange & creation
Initiated by the L'AiR Arts and Cité Falguière Associations, Atelier 11 is an International Arts Research Residency space, dedicated to intercultural artistic exchange.
Built by artists for artists in 1875, Atelier 11 is the last remaining atelier of the artist community of Cité Falguière in Paris. During its 150+ years of artistic history, the Cité Falguière served as a working and living place to more than a hundred French and international artists, from the height of the École de Paris to today. Once home to Amedeo Modigliani, Tsuguharu Foujita, Constantin Brancusi, Chaïm Soutine, and Paul Gauguin, the Cité Falguière was founded as a creative haven for artists of different cultural and social backgrounds. It is understood that Soutine and Modigliani often, as was common among the residents of the day, shared the same atelier space. Pairings like this provided the opportunity for exchange, encouragement and learning.
Built by artists for artists in 1875, Atelier 11 is the last remaining atelier of the artist community of Cité Falguière in Paris. During its 150+ years of artistic history, the Cité Falguière served as a working and living place to more than a hundred French and international artists, from the height of the École de Paris to today. Once home to Amedeo Modigliani, Tsuguharu Foujita, Constantin Brancusi, Chaïm Soutine, and Paul Gauguin, the Cité Falguière was founded as a creative haven for artists of different cultural and social backgrounds. It is understood that Soutine and Modigliani often, as was common among the residents of the day, shared the same atelier space. Pairings like this provided the opportunity for exchange, encouragement and learning.
“One day I arrived around 11pm or midnight at the Cité Falguière.… Modigliani and Soutine were lying on the floor. Of course, there was no light nor gas. They each held a candle in their hands; Modigliani was reading Dante and Soutine, Le Petit Parisien.” — Pinchus Kremegne, artist (1890 - 1981)
The École de Paris period, known as an era of heightened exchange between artists of different nationalities, languages, cultures and religions, resulted in a remarkable diversity of styles. Marking the birth of western Modernism at the turn of the century, the École de Paris grew in Montparnasse—a neighbourhood home to one of the most prolific periods in art history.
Chaïm Soutine commemorated the space in his painting L’Atelier de l’artiste à la Cité Falguière (1915-16).
Chaïm Soutine commemorated the space in his painting L’Atelier de l’artiste à la Cité Falguière (1915-16).
At Atelier 11, L'AiR Arts hosts various research residency programs. These programs facilitate a continuity across the centuries to preserve the link between past and future: honouring historical residents of Cité Falguière and celebrating contemporary artists.
In 2021, L'AiR Arts marked the beginning of the atelier’s new chapter, formalising it as the site of the world's longest running international artists' residency. The Atelier 11 residency is supported by 4 main pillars: intercultural exchange, research, professional development, and contemporary creation. It is focused on self-directed solo and duo projects that run parallel to curated group programs, arts residencies for local professionals, partner programs and events open to a broader community.
In 2021, L'AiR Arts marked the beginning of the atelier’s new chapter, formalising it as the site of the world's longest running international artists' residency. The Atelier 11 residency is supported by 4 main pillars: intercultural exchange, research, professional development, and contemporary creation. It is focused on self-directed solo and duo projects that run parallel to curated group programs, arts residencies for local professionals, partner programs and events open to a broader community.
Discover Atelier 11
Conveniently situated in the historic district of Montparnasse, Atelier 11 Cité Falguière is in walking distance from the main cultural and artistic sites connected to the history of the École de Paris and beyond.
Since its first public opening as an International Arts Research Residency for the European Heritage Days in September 2021, Atelier 11 continues to welcome visitors for open studios, exhibitions and talks, as well as for special events and by appointment. To visit Atelier 11 we invite you to join us for upcoming events or to schedule a private opportunity to visit this unique place before, during or after the restoration.
Since its first public opening as an International Arts Research Residency for the European Heritage Days in September 2021, Atelier 11 continues to welcome visitors for open studios, exhibitions and talks, as well as for special events and by appointment. To visit Atelier 11 we invite you to join us for upcoming events or to schedule a private opportunity to visit this unique place before, during or after the restoration.
Atelier 11 Restoration & Research
Recognized as a heritage site by the Region Ile de France in 2023, Atelier 11 requires major restoration and renovation of both exterior and interior spaces. To preserve the architectural heritage of this remarkable building and to continue the artistic legacy of Montparnasse within the contemporary culture, L’AiR Arts in partnership with the Cité Falguière Association and the Fondation du Patrimoine are developing an architectural project. Guided by a transatlantic team of artists and architects, the work will result in a multi-functional welcoming space that will preserve the essence and artistic spirit of a quintessential artist studio of Montparnasse while offering an interdisciplinary platform for contemporary projects.
As we restore the last remaining artist studio of Cité Falguière, we also plan to reconstruct the history of this exceptional artists' residency and uncover the individual stories of its past residents. Our research and communications will aim to promote and highlight 150 years of artistic life at the Cité Falguière and its residents, contributing to the influence of the École de Paris on the global arts community.
As we restore the last remaining artist studio of Cité Falguière, we also plan to reconstruct the history of this exceptional artists' residency and uncover the individual stories of its past residents. Our research and communications will aim to promote and highlight 150 years of artistic life at the Cité Falguière and its residents, contributing to the influence of the École de Paris on the global arts community.
With support from partners in France and around the world,
we hope to revive the creative spirit of this global arts community in Paris and
to ensure its sustainability for generations to come.
Please join our collective efforts of preserving, restoring and animating the living heritage of
the École de Paris represented by the L'AiR Arts at Atelier 11 residency program.
we hope to revive the creative spirit of this global arts community in Paris and
to ensure its sustainability for generations to come.
Please join our collective efforts of preserving, restoring and animating the living heritage of
the École de Paris represented by the L'AiR Arts at Atelier 11 residency program.
