La Réserve des Arts is a French non-profit organization founded in 2008 with the mission to promote a circular, sustainable, and socially inclusive economy within the cultural, artistic, and creative sectors. It responds to the environmental and economic challenges faced by these industries by offering practical, accessible solutions for the reuse of materials that would otherwise go to waste. Its core service is the collection, valorization (i.e., sorting, processing, and repurposing), and redistribution of discarded or surplus materials from artistic production, scenography, fashion, and cultural events. These materials—ranging from textiles and wood to plastics, metal, and exhibition furnishings—are then made available to its members at significantly reduced prices through its dedicated outlets in Montreuil, Paris, and Marseille.
Beyond material reuse, La Réserve des Arts has developed a robust ecosystem of services to encourage a shift toward more responsible creative practices. It provides professional training and certification programmes to teach best practices in reuse and sustainable design, organizes educational workshops for both institutions and individuals, and runs awareness campaigns to foster a culture of resource conservation. For creators needing workspaces, the organization offers tool libraries, rentable workshops, and artistic residencies that support experimentation with eco-friendly methods. It also collaborates with schools, museums, theatres, and event organizers to support eco-design and waste reduction strategies across the sector.
The impact of La Réserve des Arts is both environmental and social. It diverts hundreds of tons of materials from landfill each year, giving them a second life and drastically reducing the environmental footprint of the arts. At the same time, it supports a diverse community of students, emerging artists, and professionals—often with limited means—by giving them affordable access to quality resources. Membership is open to individuals and organizations working in creative fields, with options tailored to students, freelancers, and larger institutions. Overall, La Réserve des Arts serves as a powerful example of how sustainability can be embedded into artistic practice, combining ecological responsibility with creative innovation and social solidarity.
Website: https://www.lareservedesarts.org/
