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Background Information & Objectives
The New Patrons initiative, known as ‘Nouveaux Commanditaires’ in French, was launched by the Fondation de France in 1991 “to bring society and its artists closer together and give art some use value by anchoring it in issues that directly concern all citizens”. The project entails the commissioning of public artworks through an inclusive process that engages citizens at every juncture—from conceptualisation to execution. It empowers individuals to commission works directly from contemporary artists, intertwining their concerns with the creative process. This participatory approach aims to transform artistic creation into a collective responsibility, rather than an exclusive or private endeavour.
The framework for this initiative was structured by Belgian artist François Hers in 1990. The protocol of New Patrons not only sparked a cultural policy movement but also led to the creation of numerous artworks and established a network of mediation organisations across the globe tasked with overseeing these artistic projects.
To date, over 300 commissioned works have been realized in cities worldwide, including in nations such as France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and the United States. These projects have involved eminent artists and architects like Patrick Berger, Christian Boltanski, Goran Bregovic, Jean-Luc Brisson, Krijn De Koning, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Martha Rosler, and Jacques Herzog & Pierre de Meuron.
In Greece, the exclusive representative of the project is Dr. Katerina Koskina and POLITES.
For more information regarding the project click here: New Patrons

The “New Patrons” in Athens
As the New Patrons program calls upon citizens to “reclaim art and reshape democracy,” there seems to be no more fitting city than Athens to host works that emerge through dialectical processes. Athens is considered not only the birthplace of democracy and the cradle of Western civilisation, but also a place where these ideals have reached an impasse today. Indeed, citizens remain largely disconnected from the artistic scene for various reasons, even though it constitutes the ideal field where they could freely articulate and satisfy their fundamental cultural needs. Addressing this issue precisely, the New Patrons’ proposal is for the participation of citizens in the realization of a project that will emphasize the communal character of the place, contribute to the activation of common references, strengthen relationships, and improve their quality of life.

Participation of the Municipality of Athens in the Program
Given that the New Patrons program is usually successful with the support of major institutions and public bodies, the participation of the Municipality of Athens as a supporter and “initiator” of the program seems imperative. During the pandemic, the Municipality of Athens already took measures to support artists and could justifiably be the primary supporter at the start of the program in Greece. Indeed, this collaboration can contribute to the reactivation of direct communication between the society of citizens and artists, as well as establish a way of synergy between the Municipality and citizens. All participating entities (artists, citizens, funding bodies, mediators, cooperating institutions, etc.) share responsibility and involvement in the project. In this way, art ceases to be as much an exclusive choice of an individual or legal entity, as well as the expression of an individual artist’s vision, and becomes a public affair. It acquires symbolic significance and common meaning for the community and the artist.
The programme can be extended over a period of three years, both helping citizens develop methodologies of collaboration, mutual exchange, consultation, and dialogue, and allowing the negotiation of tensions and conflicts in the public sphere and the re-appropriation of public space. From its side, the Municipality of Athens, as the first supporter of the program, can greatly benefit from this collaboration and gain a lot with the right exposure. By redefining its cultural policy and satisfying citizens’ requests in a democratic and direct manner, it can more targeted toward the increasing inequalities and the current challenges of society.

Key Roles and Process
The action of the New Patrons clearly defines the commissioning process as well as the responsibilities of each stakeholder (i.e., the commissioner, the mediator, the artist, and the people conducting the initial research).
Commissioners: The New Patrons program allows anyone who desires (e.g., students, teachers, merchants, academics, technical staff, athletes, retirees, employees, craftsmen, etc.), preferably in collaboration with others, to take responsibility for the commissioning of a public art project. Commissioners invite a mediator and together define a set of specifications that subsequently allow the mediator to propose the appropriate artist to participate in the project. They will also determine the technical requirements of the project, the production budget, financial constraints, and the timeline for completion. Commissioners are responsible for integrating the project into the community.
Mediator: The mediator listens to and assesses with the commissioners the appropriateness and relevance of their request. Mediators are individuals experienced in collaborations with artists and possess all the necessary technical knowledge for the completion of the project. The mediator directs the discussion between the artists and commissioners, as well as with other individuals or institutions that will participate. The mediator informs the social partners in the area where the project will be realized, contacts the residents, and gathers the public and private funds required for the production of the artwork.
Artists: The choice of the artist, who leads the entire initiative, is made by the mediator. The selection of the artist must be approved by the commissioners. Artists may come from any creative field, including visual arts, architecture, design, music, theatre, literature, dance, etc. The artist submits a preliminary project, which is discussed with the commissioners. Then, with the help of the mediator, they specify the technical and administrative constraints and the financial framework that the artist must consider. Once the project is agreed upon, a budget for production is set, and then the artwork can enter the production phase. The artist, the mediator, the commissioners, as well as political, cultural, or administrative cooperating entities, help ensure that the project will be fully registered and participate in public life.
Supporters: Municipalities, communities, individuals, institutions, companies, programs, etc.

MANIFESTO FOR CULTURAL POLICY IN THE AGE OF DEMOCRACY