LaM, museum of modern art contemporary art and art brut

Imagine a place where art flourishes in the middle of a 2-hectare park, just a few minutes from the centre of Lille. LaM is a rare cultural interlude, an artistic bubble set against the Villeneuve-d’Ascq chain of lakes. Here, monumental sculptures and greenery converse under the northern sky: Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, Richard Deacon… so many giants of art to accompany you on your walk.

Since its creation in 1983, LaM has never stopped reinventing itself. The result of a passionate donation by Geneviève and Jean Masurel, the museum now houses over 9,000 works and offers a fascinating journey through three artistic universes: modern art, contemporary art and art brut.

A first in France, and an exception in Europe.

LaM is also a daring architectural dialogue. The original building, designed by Roland Simounet and listed as a Historic Monument, has been given a spectacular contemporary extension designed by Manuelle Gautrand.

This extension was born of a generous gesture: the exceptional donation of works of art brut by the L’Aracine association.

The result? Since 2010, LaM has held France’s leading collection of art brut.

More than 9,000 works that respond to, question and enrich each other. The LaM brings together Amedeo Modigliani, Joan Miró and Georges Braque with the singular universes ofAloïse Corbaz, Henry Darger and Madge Gill. Louise Bourgeois, Daniel Buren, Miriam Cahn…

Contemporary art completes this unique panorama of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The museum’s thematic programme is renewed every two years, so you’ll always be surprised. Two major temporary exhibitions a year round out the programme, not forgetting raw, the forward-looking programme dedicated to young artists.