At the Lycée Français de New York, cultural enrichment is not a peripheral activity; it is the cornerstone of our mission to shape true “citizens of culture and courage.”
Through our academic curriculum, our Cultural Center, and the initiatives of our Department of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), we offer our students privileged access to arts and ideas from around the globe. This exposure develops their critical thinking, empathy, and capacity to engage boldly with society.
Culture at the Heart of the Curriculum
Cultural exploration begins in the classroom with a rich program of artistic discovery that extends into New York City’s museums and through immersion trips abroad. The Lycée’s multicultural community is also, in itself, an infinite landscape for learning.
- In Elementary School: The annual Day of Understanding celebrates the diversity of our families through performances and workshops. This day of sharing allows students to open themselves to other cultures and build connections across differences.
- In Secondary School: James Baldwin Day is another powerful annual tradition, inviting students to reflect on questions of identity, justice, and belonging through dialogue and artistic creation.
A Dynamic Cultural Center within the School
Since 2015, the Lycée Français de New York has housed its own Cultural Center, whose activities directly support the academic curriculum and the students’ cultural discovery.
Artist-in-Residence Program
Each year, the Cultural Center welcomes Francophone artists from all walks of life for a week of total immersion with our students. Over five days, these artists share their expertise and techniques, collaborating with students on a project that is later presented to the community.
Since the program’s creation, our students have worked with exceptional talents, from illustrator Serge Bloch to chocolatier Jacques Torres, and from photographer and AGI specialist Delphine Diallo to singer Francis Cabrel.
Lectures and Debates
The Lycée’s Cultural Center is also a crossroads of ideas where researchers, writers, and thinkers meet. These lectures, integrated into the academic pathway, allow students to confront major contemporary issues. Recently, our students have engaged in dialogue with philosopher Souleymane Bachir Diagne, author Valérie Zénatti, and writer Alain Mabanckou.
The Cultural Center also provides students with opportunities to showcase their own talents through initiatives such as the Rough Cut short film festival and the Première Scène theater festival.
Finally, events open to the public allow families to deepen their cultural knowledge, notably during the “En français oui, but why?” day dedicated to Francophone cultures, or through our monthly movie nights.
Where next?
Mission and Values
