Artists must pay to use SNCF sites

THE SNCF is facing complaints over a proposal to make artists and performers pay to use their derelict buildings for design and cultural projects.

The French rail operator is calling for expressions of interest to carry out art projects at 16 abandoned sites in France, including six in Paris, ranging from 600 m² to 29,000 m².

But some 3,000 artists have signed a petition in just four days pledging to boycott the initiative.

Their complaints centre on the strict set of rules laid down by the SNCF, requiring artists to entirely fund the projects themselves and to sign over their copyright to the company.

The campaign's founder said: "At first I thought it was a cool idea. Then I read the terms and it's a con.

"It's the artist who has to dig into their pocket and take the financial risk."

The SNCF said in a statement: "Artists have asked us many times in the past about using these properties. So we decided to set up this official channel to receive expressions of interest."

"We're all for giving a new lease of life to old buildings. We will not be making any money from this. It's just an experiment."

One artists' union is considering legal action in the hope it well set a clear precedent for others considering a similar project.