City / Cité

City/Cité is a transatlantic cooperation and exchange program created with the objective of creating a fruitful conversation on urban issues that appear as a relevant matrix for understanding contemporary mutations and challenges. It is based on a dialogue between artists, practitioners and thinkers to give voice to those who face the challenges of our contemporary societies, and to tell the story of initiatives carried out in each of the two countries.

Chicago and Paris, the two sister cities have initiated an intense dialogue in the field of city making and share many inspirations and issues.

Since 2015, various events have been organized to foster this cultural cooperation: artistic or expert exchanges, conferences and residencies. Three initiatives will soon bring a new dimension to City/Cité, thanks to the precious help of partners and donors.

— A photographic exhibition creating a dialogue between Greater Paris and Chicagoland, echoing the theme of the 2023 Chicago Architecture Biennial.
— A cultural exchange program in France for American students in architecture, design, urban planning and landscape in the summer of 2023.
— A bilingual publication to reflect the breadth and richness of the work conducted in these past years.

Support City / Cité in Chicago!

Chicago Chapter

Overview

The Chicago Chapter of FACE Foundation is committed to fostering connection between the City of Chicago, the Midwest region of the United States, and France.

This program supports numerous projects in on three main cultural fields: Art, Education, and Architecture. Through these initiatives, we initiate and strengthen exchanges between French and Chicago artists, creators, academics, curators, urban planners, architects and institutions. Our main objective is to bring communities together and inspire future long-term and solid collaborations between the two countries.

FACE Foundation is an American nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting French-American relations through innovative cultural and educational projects. In partnership with the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, FACE Foundation promotes artistic, literary and educational exchange and collaboration between creative professionals from both countries.

Our focus

The urban theme is emerging as a structuring element, a catalyst for new synergies in Chicago and in the district. It allows for the opening up of academic, cultural, artistic and even economic spheres by covering a vast field of action that is at once architectural, political, sociological and environmental.

Music is the other essential creative field in this territory, which is home to two of the five most important symphony orchestras in the country (Chicago and Cleveland) and has seen the birth or development of jazz, Motown rhythm and blues, house and techno. The urban axis should allow for the active exploration of this disciplinary field in a transversal logic to better understand, highlight and rely on the unequalled resources that this territory offers in this field of creation.

Finally, cinema remains an essential medium; this workstream has three important components: programming content, providing resources (federal programs offered by the Cinema Services department) and supporting the dissemination of French works in major local cinematic events

Our actions

Hosting and producing content in synergy with partners

— Organize artists, professional and thinkers residencies (Villa Albertine in Chicago)

— Foster public debates (Night of Ideas, Marianne Midwest, City/ Cité)

— Develop specific projects with local partners (Chicago Architecture Biennial, Chicago International Puppet Theater… )

— Active promotion of French cinema (Films on the Lake festival, Chicago Union European Festival, Chicago International Film festival)

Expand and support the French cultural initiatives, provide resources

— Expand and strengthen the linguistic, educational and academic network (education and university cooperation) through four funding programs:

• FRENCH DUAL LANGUAGE FUND (Annual Grant Program ; French Teaching ; Future Immersion Teacher) for French immersion schools
• FRENCH HERITAGE LANGUAGE PROGRAM for French after schools program
• CITY / CITE: Summer Internship Program in Architecture and Urban Planning for American students in France
• FRENCH IN HIGHER EDUCATION supports innovation in French and Francophone Studies in French Departments and programs in US colleges and universities

— Promote the resources provided by France
— Support the initiatives of local actors in all disciplines
— Build synergies with political and economic actors

Support

We are actively seeking funding from engaged individuals, foundations, and corporate partners to support our activities in the Chicago area.

Discover the sponsorship opportunities the Chicago Chapter of FACE Foundation has to offer.

Contact

For all questions related to the Chicago Chapter of FACE Foundation, please contact:

Axelle Moleur
Cutural Attaché, Director of the Villa Albertine in Chicago
axelle.moleur@frenchculture.org

Nicolas Douay
Attaché for Higher Education, Deputy Director of Villa Albertine in Chicago
nicolas.douay@frenchculture.org

You can also reach us by phone at 312 327 5200
www.chicago.consulfrance.org