Reopening of the Quadrilatère – Beauvais Art Center

An Art center with national influence, Le Quadrilatère – Beauvais Art Center will reopen its doors on April 5, 2025 after two years of work, part of an exceptional year marked by the 800 years of Saint-Pierre Cathedral and the revaluation of the episcopal district. Titled Write spacethe inaugural season will celebrate the modernist architecture of André Hermant, revisited from a contemporary perspective through the eyes of artists Cécile Bart and Stéphanie Mansy. The rehabilitation also reveals the exceptional heritage of the site by giving public access to its archaeological crypt and offers an immersive experience in the history of the city via its Architecture and Heritage Interpretation Center (CIAP).

Designed in 1976 by André Hermant, the emblematic building of the Quadrilatère – Art Center constitutes a remarkable heritage of the 20th century. Contrasting with the neighboring Gothic cathedral, the modernist building has graphic, refined lines and unsuspected volumes. In 2025, it opens a new chapter in its history following an exceptional renovation carried out by Chatillon Architectes, also working on major projects such as the recent renovations of the Grand Palais or the Carnavalet Museum.

Completely redesigned for a subtle dialogue between art and architecture, Le Quadrilatère – Art Center now has 2,000 m² of exhibition galleries and spaces adapted to the dissemination of an enriched and diversified program. This rehabilitation work also allowed the valorization of historical remains of major interest (Gallo-Roman public space from the 3rd century) and the design of a CIAP, reaffirming the commitment of the City of Beauvais and the State in the City of Art and History label and that of the Art Center in the promotion of the site and its historical layers, an inexhaustible source of inspiration for artists.

Located in the heart of a cultural district including the cathedral and the Mudo – Departmental Museum of Oise, Le Quadrilatère – Center d’art benefits from a strategic geographical position, close to a rapidly developing airport hub.
Under the artistic direction of Lucy Hofbauer, the Art Center is implementing a new establishment project, favoring an in situ approach, offering artists and the public site-specific, territory-specific, and therefore unique artistic experiences. . This renewed framework, combining exhibition spaces, artist residencies and places of conviviality, is conducive to welcoming major and emerging artists invited to produce new and in situ works, in direct dialogue with architecture and unique history of the place.

An inaugural season celebrating art and architecture in the heart of the region

The Quadrilatère – Art Center is one of the main platforms dedicated to contemporary creation and heritage in France. Among the highlights of the inaugural season Writing Space, the exhibition Whatever the Resemblances by Cécile Bart is designed as a “crossing” of the monument, it explores the visual and spatial potential of the place, mixing shapes, colors and perspectives. At the same time, the André Hermant, Architect Iconographer exhibition is a tribute to the architect of the place and his editorial work which testifies to a keen eye on all forms, made by nature or by the hand of man.

The Quadrilatère – Art Center will also present an exhibition by Stéphanie Mansy resulting from a creative residency by the artist in the art center currently under construction. His exhibition Les Infeuilletables takes the form of a monumental fresco created in situ and a personal exhibition in five acts.

A new place to live

A rich cultural program punctuates this inaugural season with numerous events encouraging the discovery of all artistic disciplines: concerts, DJ sets, workshops and conferences will punctuate the news at the Quadrilatère – Art Center. Faithful to its inclusive and warm approach, Le Quadrilatère reaffirms its ambition to reach out to as many people as possible and multiplies the avenues of access to its artistic programming.

The establishment’s public policy pays particular attention to so-called disabled or vulnerable groups. Carrier of DUCA (Urban Culture Alzheimer System) and partner of GEM 60 (Beauvais mutual aid group), the art center offers cultural activity programs for people with cognitive disorders and their caregivers. By combining artistic practices and moments of sharing, these projects aim to strengthen social bonds and provide spaces of respite and creation for all participants.

Within the rehabilitated building and now accessible to all, several educational workshops are dedicated to a privileged welcome for all audiences and invite the discovery of cultural practices or to participate in collective projects during workshops, meetings and discussion times offered as part of the Quadrilatère – Art Center programming.

www.lequadrilatere.fr

Header photo : Le Quadrilatère, photographic commission from Laurent Kronental, 2020 © Le Quadrilatère