Musée du Petit Format d'Art Contemporain
Contemporary art museum in Nismes: works on paper no larger than A4, from the “Petit Format de Papier” biennale since 1981.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Musée du Petit Format d'Art Contemporain is located in Nismes, a village in the municipality of Viroinval, in the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse region. It was born out of the international exhibition “Petit Format de Papier”, held since 1981, for which artists from around the world create a work on paper no larger than A4.
The collection has built up gradually through donations from participating artists, who left the unsold works to the museum. According to sources, it counts several thousand pieces (around 4,000 to 5,000). It gives an overview of the techniques and trends of contemporary art on paper, from 1981 to the present day.
The museum aims to make culture accessible in a rural setting, in an intimate atmosphere. Besides the permanent exhibition, it organises several temporary exhibitions a year and offers creative workshops. The 23rd edition of the biennale is announced for 2027.
Highlights
- Panorama of contemporary art on paper from 1981 to the present
- Collection of several thousand A4-sized works donated by artists from around the world
- International “Petit Format de Papier” biennale, next edition in 2027
- Creative workshops for families, schools and groups (linocut, watercolour, collage…)
- Self-guided visit at your own pace in an intimate setting
Permanent exhibition
- Panorama de l'art contemporain sur papier (1981 à aujourd'hui) – Permanent exhibition made up of donations from artists in the “Petit Format de Papier” biennale: works on paper no larger than A4, showing the diversity of current techniques and trends.
- Founded
- 1981
- Operated by
- ASBL Musée du Petit Format d'Art Contemporain (soutenu par la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, la commune de Viroinval et la Fondation Chimay-Wartoise)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Seniors and students |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Free for under 18s. |
| Seniors | €3 |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups | –Guided tour for a group: €20 (1 to 10 people), then €2 per additional person. One free accompanying person per 7 people. School activities: €1.50 to €3 per child; 50% discount on admission for teachers. |
| Article 27 | €1.25 |
| Creative workshop (per person) | €5By reservation; €1.25 with an Article 27 ticket. Duration 1 to 2 hours. |
Free admission: Free admission on the first Sunday of the month.
Free admission also with the museumPASSmusées, the press card and the ICOM card.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
- Hands-on stations
Creative workshops every Wednesday afternoon (14:00–16:00, €5 per person, by reservation) and during the holidays for children, teenagers and adults.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Small shop (according to a tourist information sheet).
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 1.5 hrs |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Self-guided visit: each visitor creates their own route. Guided tours for groups by reservation, in French only. Creative workshops for children, teenagers and adults (for example linocut from age 8, drypoint from age 6). |
