The Creative Hub in the Heart of Cognac

INSIDE THE FOUNDATION D’ENTREPRISE MARTELL​

At the Fondation d’Entreprise Martell, artists and artisans have the freedom to create unique works of art, combining materials and savoir-faire in unimagined ways.​

Representing the breadth of artistic disciplines spanning visual arts, to digital arts, architecture, design and live performances, invited artists are entrusted to create immersive experiences that push the boundaries of their expertise.​

It is all part of the remit for the Fondation d’Entreprise Martell, the House’s creative hub for culture and innovation in the heart of Cognac, southwest France.

Established in 2016, the centre continues Maison Martell’s proud tradition of patronage and collaboration and reflects the House’s desire to popularise culture and know-how for a broader audience.​

The foundation’s philosophy is to connect local and international craftspeople with emerging or recognised creators. To date more than 70 artists have been hosted from Europe, China and Africa, across 12 art and craft disciplines.

At the heart of the experience is the ‘Ateliers du Faire’, production studios built on the site of Martell’s former bottling factory.​

Here, the artists in residence experiment with different materials and collaborate with each other across disciplines, putting their creativity to the test and demonstrating the power of co-creation.​

The sense of timeless heritage runs strong, with the studios focused on traditional crafts from woodworking, glass art, ceramics, paper, weaving, and – in homage to the Cognac region’s history and industry – fabric as well.