Requesting a long-term loan

Long-term loans mean CNAP collection artworks are made available to the public, for installation in a government building or a museum institution for a period of a year or more.

Artworks from the French State’s contemporary art collection may also be placed on long-term loan to museums abroad.

The regulatory framework for short-term and long-term loans of the artworks and art objects registered in the inventory of the Fonds national d’art contemporain is set out in the French Heritage Code, especially in Articles D.113-1 to D. 113-10 and D. 113-24 to D. 113-26. In particular, it specifies the obligations of long-term borrowers.

Organisations eligible for long-term loans

Long-term loans are currently granted for a renewable 1- to 5-year period.

Organisations eligible for long-term loans include:

• museums, institutions and organisations of a cultural nature operating on a non-profit basis;
• historical monuments belonging to a public entity, provided they are open to the public;
• presidential residences, residences attributed to the French Prime Minister;
• buildings attributed to government organisations (ministries, prefectures, French embassies abroad, etc.), to independent public authorities (the Senate, the National Assembly, etc.), and to French national public institutions;
• museums abroad.

Formal request

The long-term loan request must be written and signed on the organisation’s letterhead; it must state the name of the administrative officer who will sign the loan agreement.

The letter should include:

• the name of the organisation applying for a long-term loan;
• the full address of the display facility;
• the list of requested artworks mentioning the inventory number;
• the facility’s display and security conditions (“facility report”), allowing the Loans Committee to examine the conservation conditions;
• the full contact details of the person in charge of the matter;
• the full contact details of the administrative officer who will sign the loan agreement.

The head of the organisation (or its supervisor) should send the long-term loan request to Béatrice Salmon, Director of the Centre national des arts plastiques, at least six months prior to the date when the works are to be made available. 
You should send a copy to : pretsetdepots[at]cnap.fr   

Please check the schedule of the Loans Committee on the CNAP website to ensure you submit your request within the set deadlines.

Obligations of long-term borrowers

Borrowing an artwork from the CNAP entails a number of commitments ont the part of the long-term borrower:

• following instructions for transportation, packing and insurance,
• ensuring the maintenance and conservation of the work for the entire duration of the loan,
• returning the work in good condition,
• providing information when one or more works are moved,
• meeting the standards for preventive conservation,
• covering restoration costs in the event of damage,
• obtaining the CNAP's consent prior to any restoration work, to making an extension request, etc.

Government organisations with artworks on long-term loan are required to yearly provide an annual condition report. 

The long-term loan agreement

The agreement permitting the long-term loan of an artwork must be signed by the borrower and the CNAP before the work can leave the premises. It is therefore necessary to anticipate the request by taking into account the time necessary for the authorisation process that the borrower will be subject to (for instance, board of director or city council decisions).

Long-term loans of works to museums abroad require additional administrative formalities (exit permit to leave the country, etc.).

The work's certificate of insurance covering transportation and the duration of the long-term loan must imperatively reach the Administrative Division fifteen days before the works are to be collected. The carrier will not be allowed to collect the works if the certificate has not been provided.

Loan extension

Any request for a long-term loan extension must reach the CNAP two months before the original end date of the loan as stated in the agreement. It will be subject to the consideration of the Loans Committee.

If approved, a new agreement will be drafted.

Costs associated with long-term loans

The costs of packing, transportation, insurance, framing, video duplication, and supplies related to the implementation and installation of the works, are all covered by the borrower. Restoration costs may be incurred by the borrower, after consultation with the CNAP.

It is therefore important to have prepared a projected budget at the time of your request.

Address

To Béatrice Salmon, Director of the Centre national des arts plastiques
1, place de la Pyramide
Tour Atlantique
92911 Paris-La Défense
France

Contact

Amélie Matray 
Head of the loans and deposits - Assistant to the Head of the Registrar service
Telephone: +33(0)1 46 93 02 59
amelie.matray[at]cnap.fr

Sophie Sansonetti
Coordinator  - Deposits
Telephone: +33(0)1 46 93 05 48
sophie.sansonetti[at]cnap.fr

pretsetdepots[at]cnap.fr