Contemporary art

The Collection

The Societe Generale Collection is an ensemble of living art. Created in 1995 and combining painting, graphic arts, photography and sculpture, today it is a compendium of almost 1,800 works of art. Exhibited at the Group’s head offices in La Défense, in Paris and in Val de Fontenay, its vocation is to be widely shared. Employees, the general public, partners, clients, school groups and students can discover the Collection thanks to multiple interactions: installations, artistic workshops, loans and off-site exhibitions, etc.

Its development over time is the result of a continual and coherent acquisition policy involving the Company’s driving forces: every year, the Collection is enriched with new works of art chosen by a committee comprising – alongside independent experts – members of the Group’s General Management team and employees. This acquisition policy combines works by prominent artists and works by emerging young creative talents. 

The Societe Generale Collection is thus the expression of a sustainable, inclusive and open cultural sponsorship policy aligned with the Group’s values.

Patronage that extends well beyond France

Beyond France, Societe Generale’s contemporary art and art patronage can be seen in many of the Group’s overseas sites in Europe, Africa, the United States and Asia. 

Indeed, this patronage and sponsorship policy focussed on the Collection shares its ambitions and its cultural commitment with Societe Generale’s international entities, through local collections and support for artistic creation and institutions in their respective countries.

Côte d’Ivoire

Societe Generale Côte d'Ivoire began building up its collection in 2019, and now has some 44 works of art. The bank is pursuing a museum project in partnership with Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Culture and Francophonie (French language and culture).

Morocco

Societe Generale Morocco has a collection of 1,200 works by Moroccan artists that are currently exhibited in the banking network’s branches throughout the country.

Czech Republic

Komerční banka (KB) in Czechia has a collection of close to 500 significant works by Czech artists that it regularly loans out to museums and art galleries. The bank has been supporting the National Gallery of Prague for many years.

Romania

BRD-Groupe Société Générale supports contemporary art creation via a specific platform, Scena9, and a dedicated location in central Bucharest. The Group also has 360 works by Romanian artists. 

United Kingdom

Societe Generale in the UK has a collection of 40 works by local female artists exhibited at One Bank Street in Canary Wharf, London. The bank has also been a long-standing corporate partner of the Victoria & Albert Museum. 

Hong Kong

Societe Generale in Hong Kong has launched a call for projects aimed at young Hong Kong artists and has acquired 3 works that are on show at its Three Pacific Place premises.

Find out more about the Societe Generale Art Collection.