# Carré d'art

> museum in Nîmes, France

**Wikidata**: [Q1045385](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1045385)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carré_d'Art)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/carre-d-art

## Summary
Carré d'art is a contemporary art museum and library located in Nîmes, France, officially opened in 1993. It serves as a dual-purpose cultural facility housing the "Carré d'art - musée d'art contemporain" and the "bibliothèque Carré d'art" within a single architectural structure. The institution is situated at Place de la Maison Carrée and is recognized globally as a significant example of modern museum architecture.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Carré d'art (also known as Carré d'art - musée d'art contemporain).
*   **Inception Date:** Officially opened in 1993.
*   **Location:** Place de la Maison Carrée, Nîmes, France (Postal Code: 30000).
*   **Geographic Coordinates:** 43.83805556° N, 4.355° E.
*   **Primary Function:** Art museum and public library.
*   **Instance Of:** Art museum (building/space) and library.
*   **Components:** Contains "Carré d'art - musée d'art contemporain" and "bibliothèque Carré d'art".
*   **Directors:** Jean-Marc Prévost (served until 2024); Hélène Audiffren (appointed March 2025).
*   **Architectural ID:** Archinform Project ID 2340; Structurae Structure ID 20018164.
*   **Digital Identifiers:** Freebase ID `/m/05f9xyk`; Ringgold ID `252009`; PSS-Archi ID `FR-30189-3981`.
*   **Library Identifiers:** ISNI `0000000107895060`; VIAF ID `132388577`; IdRef ID `033135150`.
*   **Web Presence:** Official website at `https://www.carreartmusee.com/`.
*   **Media Presence:** 9 Wikipedia language sitelinks (Arabic, German, English, French, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, and Commons).
*   **OpenStreetMap:** Way ID `249023783`.
*   **Image Index:** Bildindex der Kunst und Architektur IDs `20149436` and `0001278089`.
*   **Topic ID:** Objectif Gard Topic ID `carre-dart`.

## FAQs
**What are the primary functions of the Carré d'art facility?**
The Carré d'art operates as a dual-purpose institution that combines a museum for contemporary art with a public library. It specifically houses the "Carré d'art - musée d'art contemporain" and the "bibliothèque Carré d'art" within the same building complex.

**Who has led the museum as its director?**
Jean-Marc Prévost served as the director of the contemporary art museum section until 2024. In March 2025, Hélène Audiffren was appointed as the new director, succeeding Prévost.

**Where is the museum located and how can it be identified geographically?**
The facility is located at Place de la Maison Carrée in Nîmes, France, with the postal code 30000. Its precise geographic coordinates are 43.83805556° North latitude and 4.355° East longitude.

**How is the Carré d'art classified in architectural and cultural databases?**
It is cataloged as Project ID 2340 in the Archinform database and holds Structure ID 20018164 in Structurae. Additionally, it is indexed in the Bildindex der Kunst und Architektur under IDs 20149436 and 0001278089.

**What digital and library authority identifiers does the institution possess?**
The entity is tracked under ISNI `0000000107895060` and VIAF ID `132388577` for library purposes. It also holds a Freebase ID (`/m/05f9xyk`), a Ringgold ID (`252009`), and an IdRef ID (`033135150`).

## Why It Matters
Carré d'art represents a critical intersection of modern architecture, contemporary art curation, and public access to knowledge in the south of France. By integrating a museum and a library into a single structure, it solves the urban planning challenge of providing diverse cultural services within a compact footprint, specifically designed to complement the ancient Roman heritage of Nîmes. Its role as a hub for contemporary art distinguishes it from traditional historical museums, offering a dynamic space for modern artistic expression. The facility's presence in major global knowledge graphs and architectural databases underscores its status as a significant cultural landmark that bridges historical context with modern innovation.

## Notable For
*   **Dual-Function Design:** Uniquely combines a contemporary art museum and a public library under one roof.
*   **Architectural Recognition:** Recognized by Archinform (ID 2340) and Structurae (ID 20018164) as a notable architectural project.
*   **Strategic Location:** Situated directly at Place de la Maison Carrée, placing it in the heart of Nîmes' historic Roman district.
*   **Leadership Transition:** Recently underwent a significant leadership change with the appointment of Hélène Audiffren in 2025.
*   **Global Indexing:** Indexed in the Bildindex der Kunst und Architektur, linking it to international art history records.
*   **Multilingual Reach:** Maintains active Wikipedia sitelinks in nine languages, including Arabic, German, and Swedish.
*   **Digital Footprint:** Possesses a comprehensive set of authority IDs including ISNI, VIAF, and Freebase, ensuring accurate data aggregation.
*   **Contemporary Focus:** Specifically dedicated to "art contemporain" (contemporary art), differentiating it from general art museums.

## Body

### Identity and Classification
The entity known as Carré d'art is defined as an art museum located in Nîmes, France. Structurally, it is an instance of an "art museum" building, distinct from the administrative institution itself. The facility is a composite entity that includes two primary parts: the "Carré d'art - musée d'art contemporain" and the "bibliothèque Carré d'art." This dual nature allows it to function simultaneously as a venue for visual arts and a center for literary and informational resources. The museum is classified under the broader category of cultural institutions and is specifically noted for its focus on contemporary art.

### Location and Geography
The physical site of the Carré d'art is situated in the city of Nîmes, within the country of France. The specific address is Place de la Maison Carrée, a location chosen for its proximity to significant historical landmarks. The postal code for the area is 30000. Geographically, the building is positioned at latitude 43.83805556 and longitude 4.355. In the OpenStreetMap database, the structure is identified by the way ID `249023783`. The location places the museum in the Gard department, as indicated by the Objectif Gard Topic ID `carre-dart`.

### History and Inception
The Carré d'art was officially opened to the public in 1993. This date marks the inception of the facility as a functional cultural center. The opening was a significant event in the cultural landscape of Nîmes, establishing a modern counterpoint to the city's ancient Roman ruins. The project is referenced in various historical and architectural records, including the Archinform database which cites the project ID 2340 with a reference date of July 2, 2018.

### Leadership and Management
The management of the museum has seen notable transitions in recent years. Jean-Marc Prévost served as the director of the "Carré d'art - musée d'art contemporain" until the end of 2024. Following his tenure, Hélène Audiffren was appointed as the new director. This appointment was reported in March 2025 by the publication *Midi Libre*, marking a new chapter in the institution's administration. The leadership structure ensures the continued operation of both the museum and library components.

### Architectural and Structural Data
The building is a recognized subject in architectural databases. It holds the Archinform Project ID `2340`, which links it to a specific architectural profile. In the Structurae database, it is cataloged with the Structure ID `20018164`. The PSS-Archi database assigns it the ID `FR-30189-3981`. These identifiers confirm its status as a documented architectural work. The facility is also indexed in the Bildindex der Kunst und Architektur, holding two distinct IDs: `20149436` and `0001278089`. The latter ID is linked to a specific document URL within the Bildindex system.

### Digital Presence and Authority Control
Carré d'art is extensively tracked across global digital authority files. The Library of Congress and international library systems recognize it via ISNI `0000000107895060` and VIAF ID `132388577`. The IdRef system, used for French academic resources, lists it with ID `033135150`. In the realm of knowledge graphs, it possesses a Freebase ID of `/m/05f9xyk`. For research and citation purposes, it is identified by the Ringgold ID `252009`. The institution maintains an official website at `https://www.carreartmusee.com/`, which serves as a primary digital portal for visitors.

### Media and Linguistic Coverage
The entity has a presence on Wikimedia Commons under the category "Carré d'Art (Nîmes)". It is the subject of Wikipedia articles in nine languages: Arabic (arz), German (de), English (en), French (fr), Italian (it), Dutch (nl), Portuguese (pt), and Swedish (sv). This multilingual coverage highlights its international recognition. The Wikipedia title is consistently rendered as "Carré d'Art" across these languages.

### Related Entities and References
The museum is closely associated with the city of Nîmes and the country of France. It is referenced in the context of the "Maison Carrée," a famous Roman temple located nearby. The facility is also linked to the broader concept of "art museums" as a class of buildings. Its inclusion in the Objectif Gard database (Topic ID `carre-dart`) connects it to regional cultural initiatives in the Gard department. The data sources for these facts include Wikidata, Archinform, Structurae, and various national library catalogs, ensuring a high degree of factual accuracy.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://www.midilibre.fr/2025/03/06/info-midi-libre-helene-audiffren-nouvelle-directrice-du-musee-carre-dart-a-nimes-12551400.php)
5. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
6. [Source](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aipro.php)