Dole. Jean-Philippe Lefèvre, the Jura elected official at the heart of national culture

At Dole, he thinks about programming and heritage. In Paris, he negotiated, debated and arbitrated. Jean-Philippe Lefèvre leads a double life as a cultural official, between local projects and national behind-the-scenes, via his role as president of the FNCC.

In the city of Pasteur, he is in charge of the promotion of heritage and the classical music seasonhe imagines, develops and defends the city’s cultural projects. But its influence goes far beyond the Jura borders.

For several years, he has chaired the FNCC, the National Federation of Elected Officials for Community Culture. A structure born in the 1960s and which has today become a key player in the French cultural landscape. HAS” It’s a federation of elected officials “, he summarizes. It brings together around 500 communities, from small rural communities to large metropolises, including departments and regions.

Its role is multiple: representing elected officials to the Ministry of Culture, circulating ideas, supporting local cultural policies and training elected officials. HAS” When the Ministry of Culture needs to know the feelings of local elected officials, it turns to us “, he explains. An interface role that places the FNCC at the heart of decisions.

A very political culture

But behind this mission lies a more complex reality. HAS” It is a federation which is very political », reconnaît Jean-Philippe Lefèvre. À the FNCC, all sensitivities coexistthe latter laughs, “ Today, I have everything. I have various centers, super centers, some very left, some a little bit right… »

The president must deal with this fragile balance, between debates of ideas and balance of power. HAS” Except, what is the right, what is the left? ”, he laughs. A way of reminding us that, in the cultural field, the lines are sometimes more blurred than elsewhere.

This position also allows it to play a role as facilitator for the territories. At Dole, projects sometimes benefit directly from this network. Result: certain funding, otherwise difficult to access, can be released.

From Dole to national networks

Jean-Philippe Lefèvre does not hide his attachment to this function. HAS” It’s a real passion “, he assures. Because beyond representation, the FNCC is also a place of exchange and inspiration. HAS” It’s the place for exchanges, it’s the place for the toolbox, where each elected official, from any type of community can come and pick up ideas ».

A philosophy that he applies directly to Dole. Some local initiatives come from ideas identified elsewhere, during travel or training. Because the federation also plays an important educational role, with sessions dedicated to elected officials. “ODon’t talk to an elected official like you talk to a theater director “, he insists.

Basically, Jean-Philippe Lefèvre embodies a form of hyphen. Between a medium-sized city and large institutions, between ideas and their implementation. A balance that he cultivates with energy, convinced that culture is built as much on the ground as in the networks.