Every year, the Institute for French Craftsmanship organizes the Journées Européennes des Métiers d'Art ( JEMA), a heritage and artistic event that gives the general public the opportunity to visit the workshops of French artists and craftsmen, and discover their work and skills.
Painting, sculpture, goldsmiths, watchmakers, chiselers, lacemakers, hatters, blacksmiths, engravers, carpenters... More than 280 professions have been awarded the "métier d'art" label, a term that celebrates the specific skills and techniques required to maintain and bring to life France's heritage. These craftsmen are therefore particularly highlighted during the JEMA, an event that has become an essential part of the country's cultural calendar.
In 2025, the Journées des Métiers d'Art was due to return from March 31 to April 6, for a 19th edition based on the theme "traits d'union". However, the event is currently on hiatus.
Indeed, on its official website, the event has announced that it is " facing serious challenges ", and has therefore not opened its applications for this 2025 edition. The reason: funding problems , due to the dissolution of the National Assembly and the postponement of the vote on the finance bill for the year.
" Applications did not open as usual in December. They remain on hold as we have yet to confirm our budget. We will keep you informed in January 2025, as soon as we have new information to bring you. We hope to know soon whether the 2025 edition can be launched or whether it will have to be cancelled. (...) The opening of candidatures for the JEMA 2025 is pending, subject to the validation of the PLF (Projet de Loi de Finances) 2025 ", explains the website.
Following the dissolution of Michel Barnier's government, the French National Assembly was unable to vote on the Finance Bill, the text that determines the budget allocated to each area of the State for the coming year. As a result, funding for various projects and organizations, such as the experimental casino project in Paris, has come to an end.
These funds could be released by François Bayrou's government, which is due to present its PLF to MPs on January 14.
Official website
www.journeesdesmetiersdart.fr
