The unmissable autumn event for everyone in the creative industries is fast approaching: We Are French Touch will be held on Wednesday, November 26th at the Palais Brongniart and will bring together talents, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs passionate about culture, art, and innovation. Solenne Blanc, Managing Director of Beaux Arts & Cie and ambassador of the French Touch, will discuss the year's highlights and the importance of this event for the sector.

La French Touch: What were the highlights for Beaux Arts & Cie in 2025? And what are the group's next major milestones?

Solenne Blanc: The year 2025 was marked by several highlights: the 1st edition of the international museum week around SITEM last March, with the welcoming of foreign delegations in partnership with the French Touch; the launch of the Odyssées, our inspirational program which connects companies with the cultural and creative sector; by the opening on November 19, of The Art Business Conference Hong Kong which, after Paris, New York, London, Maastricht and Dubai completes our network of professional meetings in the art market.

FT: What is your assessment of the first edition of the Odyssées which took place this summer? Why is it essential to bring together decision-makers in culture and the arts?

SB: The launch of the Odysseys program with the event on July 16th at Hangar Y was a resounding success, with 200 participants from a wide range of companies and professions. Their feedback on the richness and relevance of the program was unanimously enthusiastic. This (re)connection to the world of creativity and thought is essential for nurturing current and future leaders and illuminating their understanding of an increasingly complex and polarized world. To quote one of the participants: “ This program offers privileged access to stimulating cultural content, designed to sharpen curiosity, encourage open-mindedness, and provide a unique perspective on our world. It also constitutes a space for reflection where culture and thought become levers for collective transformation, directly linked to our role as stakeholders in the business world and our responsibility to rethink the models of tomorrow. ”

The FT: How would you define the business model of Beaux Arts & Cie today?

SB: It's a sustainable and balanced model, built on complementary areas of activity, all rooted in the interpretation, transmission, and promotion of arts and culture. The business model rests on several pillars: print and web media (Beaux Arts Magazine and its digital ecosystem, Le Quotidien de l'Art, and the quarterly Geste/s dedicated to craftsmanship), professional networking events (SITEM, MUSEVA, The Art Business Conference), cultural engineering (Beaux Arts Consulting), and mediation (Point Parole, Beaux Arts Institute, Artips). These activities are strengthened by strong teams with complementary skills.

The FT: With your investment fund ArtNova, what investment trends are you observing in the cultural and creative industries?

SB: The cultural and creative industries are a sector that drives innovation and influence. Their business model is atypical because it often relies on prototypes, which hinders scaling up; this is why traditional investment funds are less present in this sector. The involvement of sector-specific funds like ArtNova or Bpifrance's French Touch fund is key to supporting these players in their growth and internationalization phase.

FT: What new players or economic models do you see emerging in the culture and art market?

SB: New technologies like blockchain and AI are driving the development of new players to provide solutions for traceability, security, creation, and distribution of works. Forms of augmented mediation and immersive experiences are multiplying. But innovation isn't limited to technology, which is why, alongside digital, we are continuing our investments in print media and event formats.

The FT: Audiences, formats, experiences, how do you think cultural institutions need to rethink their model to remain relevant?

SB: Institutions must constantly rethink their relationship with the public and the formats of their content and mediation (before, during, and after visits) to attract the widest possible audience. This requires continuous experimentation and listening to the public. They must also rethink their relationship with businesses, which should not be limited to traditional sponsorship.

The FT: What advice would you give to an entrepreneur who wants to get into the cultural and creative industries today?

SB: To have a strong conviction around a creative and unique idea and to think upstream about the economic model, guaranteeing the sustainability of the project.

The FT: We Are French Touch is one of the flagship events of the French Touch, what have you put in place to guarantee the success of this new edition?

SB: The event prioritizes a variety of formats: keynotes, round tables, experiments, artistic experiences, creator masterclasses… and times for exchanges, to be both a source of inspiration and a meeting place for actors in the cultural and creative industries.

FT: How does this event respond to the major changes in the cultural market?

SB: Bringing all the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) together in a single event reflects the increasingly important (and desirable) cross-sector collaboration between the various creative industries. It also highlights the challenge for stakeholders in this sector to unite in order to drive ambitious, internationally focused development. We Are French Touch provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs from different CCI backgrounds to meet and brainstorm joint projects.

Get your badge for We Are French Touch on Wednesday, November 26th at the Palais Brongniart