Association de gestion du Festival d’Avignon

Mission & Vision

Since 1947, the Festival d’Avignon has been a major international platform for artistic creation and cultural dialogue. Founded by Jean Vilar, its vision remains deeply rooted in the idea of making art accessible to all—bringing theatre and performance beyond traditional venues and into shared public spaces.

Each summer, the Festival transforms the city of Avignon into a vibrant forum where artists and audiences from around the world come together. Across more than 40 venues, it presents a rich program of performances, debates, readings, and encounters, welcoming over 120,000 spectators and hosting hundreds of events.

Under the direction of Tiago Rodrigues, the Festival continues to champion artistic freedom, innovation, and diversity. It promotes both renowned and emerging artists, fosters new narratives, and creates a space where different cultures, languages, and perspectives can meet and engage.

In 2026, the Festival d’Avignon will celebrate its 80th edition, marking a major milestone in its history. This landmark edition will highlight the Korean language as its guest language, opening a vibrant window onto contemporary Korean creation.

Actions Led

The Festival d’Avignon plays a key role in supporting the performing arts ecosystem through a wide range of initiatives:

• Supporting artistic creation at scale
  Each year, the Festival presents around 300 performances and over 40 productions, providing artists with the resources and technical means to develop ambitious works and take creative risks.
• Promoting diversity and new voices
  The program brings together more than 600 artists from France and around the world, with a strong focus on emerging talents and underrepresented voices.
• Creating spaces for dialogue and civic engagement
  With hundreds of discussions, encounters, and public events, the Festival fosters critical thinking and encourages dialogue across cultures and perspectives.
• Expanding access to culture
  Outreach initiatives help engage broader audiences, while maintaining strong attendance and participation across diverse communities.
• Acting responsibly and sustainably
  The Festival is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and promoting ethical practices across all its activities.

Projects That U.S. Donors Can Support

Donations made to Friends of Fondation de France will support the Festival d’Avignon’s public-interest activities, including:

• Annual International Festival Programming: Curating and presenting performances across theatre, dance, and music by international and local artists; Supporting innovative and experimental artistic creation.
• Educational and Community Outreach Programs: Workshops and participatory activities for youth and schools; Programs fostering intercultural dialogue and civic engagement.
• Support for Emerging Artists and Artistic Creation: Grants, residencies, and production support for emerging and experimental artists; Promoting sustainable artistic careers and long-term creative development.
• Social and Environmental Responsibility Initiatives: Integrating ecological sustainability practices into festival operations; Developing projects addressing social, cultural, and environmental challenges.