Access to culture
The BNP Paribas Foundation, a pioneer in supporting hip-hop
A history of love: as a vehicle for excellence and equal opportunity, dance has been an art form dear to the BNP Paribas Foundation since 1986. Our mission:
to explore new approaches to choreography and music with the aim of encouraging diverse and inclusive stories.
The Foundation’s history with hip-hop began with support for artists – choreographers and dancers – who were already well known in the world of urban dance: for example, Jann Gallois, Amala Dianor, Wang Ramirez and, more recently, Leïla Ka.
Through its support for exploratory, trailblazing artistic creation, the Foundation has developed equally innovative sponsorship that promotes access to culture.
‘Hip-hop Turgot’ x the BNPP Foundation: aiming for excellence through dance
Following the release of the documentary film Allons Enfants in 2022, the Foundation decided to meet the extraordinary team that runs the only secondary school course in France that includes a specialisation in hip-hop dance at Lycée Turgot. Since 2023, the Foundation has helped to provide support and give visibility to the programme.
Created in 2015 by David Bérillon, a former breakdancer and a physical education teacher at the lycée, this programme targets both academic and artistic excellence. It is unique in Europe, offering the only free training of its kind in a state school. A key aim is to include secondary students from disadvantaged neighbourhoods and break the cycle of academic failure through dance.
We bring in artists, work with cultural organisations and share experiences. We want to create the best possible conditions for students to combine academic success with passion for the arts. – David Bérillon
The lycée, in the Marais in Paris, allows upper secondary students to take street dance classes for between 7 and 15 hours a week in addition to the standard school curriculum.
This option has around 60 students, with almost as many girls as boys. Every year, around a hundred candidates from all over France (and even internationally) apply in the hope of being selected for the programme.
Karile Richard, headmistress of Lycée Turgot, says:
he Foundation’s support is integral to the students’ development, contributing to their cultural and artistic awareness, promoting their well-being and giving them the drive to surpass themselves.
Our support has enabled:
- The broadcast of a collection of videos bringing hip-hop to iconic locations in Paris and showcasing dancers from ‘Hip-Hop Turgot’:
Demonstrating the range of the dancers’ talent, the videos can be used by students on their social networks or for their promotional materials.
- An encounter between the students and Jann Gallois, a choreographer also supported by the Foundation. This collaboration came about following an invitation from Suresnes Cités Danse 2024 and resulted in the creation of an odyssey of movement that is a hymn to youth and the power of the collective, staged in two performances.
- ‘Hip-Hop Turgot’ revisits Ravel’s Boléro (article in French)
Once the Lycée Turgot students have obtained their baccalaureate, these talented young people trained in hip-hop techniques and the world of battles, choreographic creations and performances can go on to become professional dancers: for example, by joining the Génération Turgot collective.
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