Raise and spread awareness
Caisse des Dépôts has been developing a musical sponsorship programme for more than 20 years. Its actions contribute to the full spectrum of classical and contemporary music and opera in France.
I Paris, it owns and sponsors the Champs-Elysées Theatre, one of the largest stages for music in Europe.
At a regional level, its support of more than 150 festivals and other musical events is contributing to facilitating access to music for as many people as possible.
Four main priorities
Educational concerts at the Champs-Elysées theatre
School children from the Ile-de-France are invited to an opera show designed especially for them. They prepare for this performance at school with their teachers. In 2009, 15,000 children thus attended the 15 performances of the opera "The Little Sweep" by Benjamin Britten.
Raising awareness amongst new audiences
Caisse des Dépôts supports actions being carried out amongst young people and families not used to frequenting concert halls. Objective: to allow them to discover and gain an initiation into music.
Partnerships are also forged with festivals proposing musical activities dedicated to young people, as well as with orchestras and opera houses which are carrying out pedagogical initiatives targeted at school children, universities and families.
Amateur music practice
Caisse des Dépôts encourages projects initiating meetings between professionals and amateurs.
It mainly supports structures, cultural centres or festivals dedicated to collective practice.
- The diffusion of contemporary music
Since 2007, Caisse des Dépôts has been supporting structures for the diffusion of contemporary music to the public at large.
Music on Campus
Lead by regional orchestras, these Music on Campus initiatives give students the possibility to attend classical concerts for free on university premises or in their town music halls. In 2009, 42 concerts were organised in 9 towns: Bordeaux, Rennes, Lorient, Nancy, Toulon, Lyon, Annecy, Le Bourget du Lac and Chambéry.
What are the eligibility criteria for classical and contemporary music projects?
Festivals and musical events
Festivals and musical events must be dedicated to profane or sacred "art music". Support for traditional and world music is more exceptional.
Raising awareness amongst new audiences
Projects instigated by festivals, opera houses, regional orchestras or orchestral ensembles should contribute to familiarising new audiences with music: workshops raising awareness of listening or playing music, involvement of musicians or technicians, preparation for listening to a piece, learning sung or played extracts, participating in writing music, visits to auditoriums or operas, participation in rehearsals, etc.
Amateur choir singing
Caisse des Dépôts supports projects designed for amateur choir singers proposed by festivals, orchestras and musical centres. Participants should benefit from musical and vocal training and professional working conditions.
Projects of an exceptional nature aimed at production by "great amateur" choirs
are also supported.
Contemporary music
Caisse des Dépôts supports structures or festivals specialising in the production and diffusion of contemporary music.
Champs-ÉlyséesTheatre
For more than 30 years, Caisse des Dépôts has had privileged links with the Champs-Elysées theatre through its dual commitment as owner and theatre patron.
Three objectives are pursued through this involvement: safeguarding exceptional architectural heritage, allowing a great French musical venue to continue for perpetuity and opening up the theatre to new audiences.
Caisse des Dépôts bought up the theatre in 1970. In 1986, it started large scale restoration works and identical renovation of the great opera hall. Afterwards, it carried out many building campaigns to improve comfort for the audience and performers, hall acoustics and, very recently, disabled access.
Caisse des Dépôts is also supporting the theatre's operational company allowing it to maintain the highest level of artistic programming making this venue one of the main musical stages in France.
+ Find out more
Mécénat musique classique 09 03 03 