A third of students at Ecole du Louvre live in precarious conditions.
Despite their success in a selective entrance exam and their passion for art history, the rising cost of living and housing difficulties prevent them from living out their education with peace of mind.
To guarantee equal opportunities, École du Louvre, via its Endowment Fund, is appealing to your generosity to enable all its students to devote themselves fully to their studies.
We need your generosity
Today, for the first time, we would like to mobilize the members of the École du Louvre family: students' families, alumni, auditors, museum professionals, cultural players, art lovers and, more broadly, all those who care about the transmission of our heritage and wish to make a commitment against student insecurity.
Every donation counts. And so does every share! Every dollar donated is an investment in the future of students, culture and heritage. It's everyone's mobilization that will enable us to rise to this collective challenge!
This is only the beginning.
This is the very first crowdfunding campaign of the École du Louvre. It is part of a broader fundraising initiative to ensure long-term support for our students through our endowment fund. If you wish to make a larger contribution or learn more about our mission, please contact us at fonds.dotation@ecoledulouvre.fr or guillaume.marechal@ecoledulouvre.org.
Fight student insecurity
“Receiving a grant allows me to commit myself fully to my studies. I clearly wouldn't be so lucky if I had to work on the side” Zaïm Richard, Master 1 student
“Emergency aid is often the last dam before it breaks. A simple transfer of $350 can change a student's life, as can avoiding the launch of eviction proceedings against their accommodation.” Sandrine Arrecgros, General Secretary, École du Louvre
Nearly 20% of students say they don't have enough to eat (FAGE, 2024)
Student living costs to rise by 7% in 2023 (UNEF, 2023)
Average rent in Paris region $930 (UNEF, 2023)
State aid is essential but insufficient, and many students fall through the cracks for just a few dollars.
The School funds living, mobility and research grants, created thanks to the generosity of patrons. In June 2024, only 29 living grants out of 144 applications could be distributed. Every year, we have to say no to students whose situation deserves our full attention. That's why we need to do more. And for that, we need your help.
Give once, help forever
“Having this grant will be a real relief” Eya Ballié, Master 1 student
“The whole point of this course is to have people who can help. It's a lifelong commitment. These grants enable us to make that commitment from the outset” Maximilien Durand, Director of the Department of Byzantine and Oriental Christian Art, Musée du Louvre, Art Historian, Teacher
The Fonds de Dotation guarantees the sustainability of the grants thanks to an ethical and responsible investment system, with a target return of 3% to 4%. Only the interest earned is used to finance scholarships on a long-term basis, year after year. A Board of Directors, supported by an Investment Committee of qualified volunteers, oversees the proper management of resources.
The funds raised will be used to fund the following on an ongoing basis each year:
Stage 1 - €50,000 / $57,000 - Responding to emergencies: 10 emergency aids per year. Vital support in the face of life's accidents, unexpected bills, rent arrears, food shortages, etc.
Stage 2 - €50,001/$57,000 to €150,000/ $170,000 - Easing the cost of housing: 10 housing assistance grants worth around €400/$457 per year to reduce the cost of rent and ensure decent housing. Housing is the biggest expense for students.
Join the long-term initiatives of the Fonds de Dotation de l'École du Louvre
Created in 2020, the Endowment Fund of École du Louvre aims to support and develop, on a long-term basis, any action of general interest related to the preservation, knowledge and transmission of art history and heritage.
It is designed to provide long-term support for École du Louvre students through the interest it generates. It finances initiatives to promote equal opportunities, research and international mobility.
Support École du Louvre, a unique school since 1882
Here, we learn to see, understand and bring heritage to life!
“L'École du regard” is a unique teaching method, based on direct contact with works of art, in museums, in the field, at the heart of collections, and learning from professionals and academics alike.
With 1,800 students and 13,000 auditors, the school offers 31 specializations, from Greek archaeology to the arts of Oceania, providing an exceptional diversity of training in all societies and all times.
A school rooted in the world
“The courses I took highlighted the realities of today's art world. They pushed me to reflect on the situation in my country, Indonesia, while learning alongside my fellow students from all over the world.” Brianna, WinterSchool student, January 2025
Thanks to its partnerships with institutions such as Princeton University, Columbia University and Heidelberg University, as well as Peking University, the Sorbonne in Abu Dhabi and the Route des Chefferies in Cameroon, the École du Louvre's influence extends far beyond France.
Support our equal opportunities policy
For over ten years, École du Louvre has been pursuing a proactive policy of equal opportunity, with concrete results.
- The percentage of scholarship holders has risen from 10% in 2000 to almost 30% today, and as high as 38% in the first year. The vast majority do not come from Paris, and some live in invisible precariousness: night shifts in fast-food restaurants during revision periods, late rent payments, social isolation, insalubrious housing conditions, meals often skipped or incomplete...
- The Maison des Elèves, inaugurated in 2021 in the Odéon district, to house 50 first-year students who receive scholarships, live outside Paris, live more than 100km away and are sometimes minors.
- Partnership with the Fondation Culture & Diversité since 2006 to promote access to the arts and culture for young people from modest backgrounds.
- Financing of living, mobility and research grants, created thanks to the generosity of our sponsors. Nearly 300 students have been supported by sponsored scholarships since 2020.
- Improved study conditions, with the renovation of the École du Louvre - Majid Boustany library and the creation of mentoring programs for first-year students.
First Milestone Reached!
Thanks to our generous donors, the first €50,000 has been collected! This means we will be able to fund annual emergency grants that support students facing precarious situations, including unexpected bills, delayed scholarships, threats of eviction, and beyond.
But this is just the beginning! With your support, we now aim for a new goal: €150,000 to sustainably fund housing aid grants, ensuring every student can study in dignified conditions.
The total amount collected is capitalized, and only the interest is used — allowing us to fund these essential forms of aid every year, over the long term.
Keep spreading the word about the campaign — thank you again!
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Friends of Fondation de France, EIN 13-3966503, is a tax-exempt public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This contribution is deductible for United States federal income tax purposes to the extent provided by law. No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution.