The BNP Paribas Foundation stands alongside its artists

In May 2020, the BNP Paribas Foundation met with its partners to highlight their incredible capacity for resilience against the backdrop of the health crisis. In a series of interviews entitled “A continued commitment”, musicians, dancers and choreographers shared their impressions and talked about their plans. One year later, as we look forward to the upcoming reopening of live performance venues, the artists backed by the Foundation gave another round of interviews.

In this second season, trumpeter Airelle Besson, kora player Ablaye Cissoko, pianist Dan Tepfer and choreographer Alexander Vantournhout explain how they adapted to the health crisis, discuss their current projects and share their outlook.

Contemporary artistic creation is a key focus of the Foundation’s cultural philanthropy. It provides support to around 30 artists and 15 institutions, with an emphasis on jazz, contemporary dance and circus arts.

For over 25 years, the BNP Paribas Foundation has promoted the development of musicians, composers and performers and funded many festivals in France and around the world. The Foundation has been supporting contemporary creation for over 36 years and is committed to artists who are creating and exploring new artistic territories.

Since the beginning of the health crisis, the Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to its partners by implementing an exceptional €310,000 support plan for 31 artists, choreographers, circus performers and musicians.

And that commitment continues! The Foundation also forged new partnerships in 2020, in particular by supporting “Le Plus Petit Cirque du Monde” and its talent development lab “Premiers Pas”, in addition to new support to artists such as Laurent Coulondre, Alexander Vantournhout and Amala Dianor.