The association
Pour l’instant
The history of the Villa Pérochon was built on the foundations of the “Europe d’art d’art” event organized by the City of Niort from 1989 to 1993: a joyous gathering of European artists from all disciplines – including photography, of course – scattered around the public space to create.
To run and supervise the much-needed photo lab, the town called on Patrick Delat (then director of a socio-cultural center). He was soon joined by a number of Niort locals with a passion for photography, who formed a collective around the “photo workshop”. Patrick Delat came up with the idea of bringing in established photographers to exchange ideas with the young artists. The Rencontres de la jeune photographie was born!
RPE
When, in 1993, the city decided to put an end to the event, the collective formed an association, Pour l’Instant, with Sylviane Van de Moortele as president and Patrick Delat, a volunteer but the real linchpin of the project. The main purpose of the association is to organize an annual artists’ residency for photographers, based on the principle of the presence of an artistic advisor (a renowned photographer) and technical assistance for the laboratory and image production. From the outset, the project was supported by the Mayor of Niort, Bernard Bellec, and his teams (including Michel Selitski and Pascale Bouet). The Rencontres Photographiques d’Été was born in the summer of 1994, on the model still in use today.
The RJPI
In 2008, to mark its fifteenth anniversary, the event changed its name to its current one: Rencontres de la jeune photographie internationale — the RJPI — and gradually extended the Artist Residency period from eight to twenty days. The project has moved forward through both prosperous years and less favorable ones, allowing for the development of various initiatives aimed at the Niort public (workshops, exhibitions, school visits, etc.). The Rencontres remain at the heart of the project and bring together volunteers who are always deeply committed to making them a reality. The concept of a festival began to take shape with exhibitions held throughout the city before and after the Artist Residency period. And then… there is the expansion beyond Europe to the international stage; the photo lab was equipped with digital equipment for image production, which led to the creation of the “Coin photo” in 2006.
An art center
On April 13, 2013, the Villa Pérochon opened the doors to its renovated garden level, reception pavilion, and garden in the presence of numerous dignitaries. This marked the occasion for the signing of the four-party agreement between the national government, the regional government, the city, and the association.The staff expanded , and Patrick Delat took on the role of artistic director. New private partners also joined the effort. Two years later, Jérôme Baloge’s new municipal team—with Christelle Chassagne serving as deputy mayor in charge of culture—reaffirmed the local government’s commitment to supporting the project. In 2018, the association received the “Center for Contemporary Art of National Interest ” (CACIN) designation from the Ministry of Culture. For the RJPI’s 25th anniversary, Olivier Nappey succeeded Sylviane Van de Moortele as president of the association. The floors of the building, renovated by the City of Niort, made it possible to set up the “Coin photo” and to expand the photography and Artothèque collection.
In June 2024, Philippe Guionie was appointed director of the art center.
In 2025, the bylaws were amended and the Board of Directors was entirely renewed. Emilia Genuardi assumed the presidency of the association.
