For 15 years, the Shakirail has opened its doors to emerging artists as well as to the general public, in the 20th arrondissement of Paris and around a clear ambition. Thus, if the association Curry Vavart, the collective that founded Shakirail, rejects the term "third place" to describe the project, it is because it is first and foremost non-profit, centered on emerging creation.
"We are a working space, and we regularly open up with a program that’s open to everyone," says Emma, head of local development. So the Shakirail invites the public to its lineup through temporary exhibitions, performances, introductory workshops (all ages, including children), and training in artistic practices (adults only). Metal sculpture, a photo lab, woodworking techniques... these are among the crafts resident artists share with the general public.
In total, around sixty emerging artists are in residence at Shakirail. Among them are creators from live performance, music, theater, and visual artists… who enjoy shared workshops (renting at €50 per month for the space) at a remarkably low price, a venue for rehearsals, or a music studio (both €5 per hour to work there). An annual call for programming is issued, in each of the covered fields: cinema and screenings, live performance, art exhibitions, or concerts.
With this throughline at the heart of Shakirail’s identity, the Curry Vavart collective says it aims to combat Paris’s scarce, pricey real estate and to support emerging or precarious artists in their creative work, Emma explains. In addition to the venue’s artistic programming, Shakirail features a 2,000 m² garden labeled Jardin relais of the City of Paris, also open to other associations. Beekeeping is practiced there, and gardening workshops are regularly offered… Incidentally, Shakirail hosts a lot of community hosting and invites associations that wish it to use spaces (contact the Shakirail team for more information).
In terms of programming, it remains multidisciplinary and free to access or pay-what-you-will, with the exception of beginner workshops which are paid. As announced earlier, the Shakirail is first and foremost a workspace, which explains why it isn’t always open to the public. That said, you can drop by to discover the venue during regular open house days, or for major events such as the Fête de la Musique. Since the collective was founded, around twenty venues have been occupied to promote creativity and solidarity in Paris: next up, Curry Vavart will open the doors to its new HQ, in Les Lilas (93).
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Location
The Shakirail
72 Rue Riquet
75018 Paris 18
Official website
shakirail.curry-vavart.com
