The director of Centquatre-Paris, José-Manuel Gonçalvès, who had been provisionally suspended for four months due to allegations related to “sexual and gender-based violence”, was reinstated in his duties on Tuesday, according to announcements from the City of Paris and the establishment. At the start of the year, the artistic establishment, which relies on the town hall, received a report from its president, Carine Rolland, deputy for Culture, indicating that the City of Paris had been informed of allegations targeting Gonçalvès. The acts were reportedly committed during a business trip and were deemed likely to constitute a criminal offense of personal injury.
A procedure opened by the Paris public prosecutor's office was, however, closed without further action on May 14, as confirmed by the City of Paris in a press release. Furthermore, an administrative investigation conducted by the General Inspectorate of the City of Paris concluded without any report or testimony corroborating the allegations against Gonçalvès in terms of sexist and sexual violence and harassment, concerning both the internal staff and external collaborators of Centquatre.
The investigation aimed to ensure that no such acts had been committed within the public establishment and to evaluate the internal procedures related to VHSS (Violence and Harassment in the workplace), revealing that the measures in place met legal obligations as stipulated by the Labor Code. Both the City of Paris and Centquatre confirmed this in a joint press release.
Following these findings, an extraordinary Board of Directors convened on Monday, where inspectors of the City of Paris presented their conclusions to the administrators. Consequently, the provisional suspension of José-Manuel Gonçalvès was lifted, allowing him to resume his duties as the director of Centquatre from May 28.
Located in the 19th arrondissement of Paris, Centquatre-Paris is a vibrant artistic venue housing performance halls, and providing free spaces for artistic practices. It describes itself as a hub for artistic residencies, production, and dissemination of arts, welcoming audiences and artists from around the world. The establishment sees over 10,000 visitors weekly, highlighting its significance in the artistic community.
- The initial report that led to the suspension of José-Manuel Gonçalvès was triggered by allegations connected to acts during a business trip, raising concerns about potential personal injury offenses. Despite this, the thorough investigations and legal proceedings ultimately found no substantial evidence to support the claims.
- The administrative investigation not only absolved Gonçalvès but also highlighted the establishment's compliance with legal obligations concerning workplace violence and harassment prevention, as per the Labor Code. This was an essential aspect, ensuring the workplace remained safe and endorsing the effectiveness of Centquatre's internal procedures.
