The National Institute of Art History (INHA) is a scientific research institute dedicated to the study of art history, jointly operated by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry of Culture. Over the years, INHA has established itself as the leading institution for art history in France—serving as a hub for national, European, and international cooperation, a major resource center, and a producer of cutting-edge research.
Its core mission is to strengthen and promote research in the fields of art and heritage, while fostering academic collaboration and international exchange.
Research: INHA conducts research across eight thematic domains, with two main goals: developing resources for art historians and expanding its library holdings. To achieve this, it engages scientific advisors, researchers, doctoral students, and others to produce a wide range of scholarly resources, organize publicly accessible academic events, and publish research findings. Art historians benefit from access to research grants and institutional partnerships that support the development of their projects.
Library: Located at the Richelieu site, the INHA library is open to all professionals and students in art history, architecture, design, and related fields. Each year, it provides access to more than 1.7 million documents—including 180,000 in open access—which include 30,000 drawings and sketches, 750,000 photographs, and 1,800 manuscripts. It serves as a key resource for researchers, curators, and students alike.
Art History Festival (FHA): Each year, INHA organizes the programming for the Art History Festival, a major event featuring around 200 activities that celebrate visual arts from all periods. Over three days, specialists, students, and art enthusiasts gather for lectures, round tables, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops, and more—fostering dialogue on current research and developments in art history.
Partnerships: INHA collaborates closely with key national institutions such as the French National Institute of Cultural Heritage, doctoral programs in art history throughout France, and the National Library of France. It also plays an active role in European and international art history networks, including the International Federation of Library Associations.
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