The International Glass and Visual Arts Research Centre (Cirva) is an art centre that places creation at the heart of its project. Occupying a unique position on the world stage since 1983, it invites artists and designers to work with a precise material, glass, in an atmosphere of total freedom. At the Cirva’s studio, they are met by a team of very high-level glass technicians with whom a dialogue begins. This exchange unfolds over the course of time, through repeated visits. It is instrumental in allowing the artists to undertake bold experiments during which unlimited avenues of thought encounter a material with a complex and unpredictable reputation.

The Cirva holds a collection including more than one thousand items, documenting the various creative experiments undertaken with the artists, who donate specific pieces to the association at the end of their collaboration. The Cirva has always sought to share the creative experiments being conducted in its studio through various partnerships and loans for exhibitions and events held at other institutions. In the studio, the Cirva is committed to share its activities with the public during open house days.

The Cirva is a non-profit association, recognized for general interest, which has been supported since its creation by the Ministry of Culture / Regional directorate of cultural affairs Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, by the City of Marseille, by the Sud Paca regional council and the Bouches-du-Rhône departmental council.

The Cirva is a member of national networks DCA — Association française de développement des centres d’art contemporain and Videomuseum. It is also involved in the regional network Pac (Provence art contemporain), which initiated the Printemps de l’art contemporain festival.