2023-09-16 05:11:53
In Orleans, the FRAC Centre-Val de Loire (Regional Contemporary Art Fund) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its building “Les Turbulences” located on Boulevard de Rocheplatte this weekend. And the least we can say is that this anniversary takes place in the middle of a crisis. Abdelkader Damani, the director of FRAC since 2015, is in fact the subject of a dismissal procedure “for professional inadequacies“, conclusion of a crisis that had been brewing for months.
The director evokes a settling of scores
Last Monday (September 11), Abdelkader Damani was summoned for an interview prior to dismissal. He did not go there, because he is in sick leave for burnout since mid-July. In fact, he was suspended from his functions as a precautionary measure in April, as part of an administrative investigation into his management methods, the Region claiming to have received several alerts from employees. This investigation has been completed, and its conclusions appeared sufficient to initiate dismissal proceedings: “I do not wish to say more because things are ongoingcomments Carole Canettevice-president of the Region, and president of the board of directors of the Frac, who therefore remains discreet on the reasons for this dismissal. But the main thing is the structure itself, and the team that works there – and not what I would describe as an adventure.“‘
Adelkader Damani, during his appointment in Orléans in July 2015 © Radio France – François Guéroult
Since the start of this affair, Abdelkader Damani says he is the victim of a settling of scores. He was appointed in 2015 to head the FRAC Centre-Val de Loire and his contract was renewed in May 2021 – the Region undoubtedly considers its results sufficiently good; creation of Architecture Biennales, wider opening towards educational and popular audiences, honorable attendance of around 25,000 visitors per year (40,000 during the Biennales). Last June, 3 members of the board of directors resigned to support Abdekkader Damani… We can legitimately think that this conflict will end in court.
Employees in “an uncomfortable situation”
But anyway, the situation of the FRAC is weakened : there has been no pilot for 5 months, programming work for next year has not started, sick leave has increased recently. Not easy for the 27 employees to work in these conditions. “The situation is uncomfortablerecognizes Carole Canette, but it is not insurmountable. It’s not funny for anyone, but the activity of the FRAC continues, and I can assure you that we are working for its future.“We remember that in 2015, the appointment of Abdelkader Damani took more than a year, undoubtedly a sign of the difficulty of recruiting for this Very atypical FRAC, the only one in France to specialize in architecture.
The FRAC Centre-Val de Loire program is not available beyond December 2023 © Radio France – François Guéroult
In the meantime, and despite this internal crisis, the Frac d’Orléans is open all weekend of September 16 and 17from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., both to celebrate the anniversary of “Turbulences” and as part of heritage days: creative workshops, concerts, visits to discover behind the scenes… The 2 architects who designed the building, Jakob and Mac Farlane, will come Sunday followingnoon to sign their latest book and blow out the candles on a birthday cake. Not sure, however, that the atmosphere will be festive.
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