The Insula orchestra – Laurence Equilbey Foundation

Since its creation, Insula orchestra has developed an educational and civic project that forms the very foundation of its identity. At La Seine Musicale, the orchestra strives to offer diverse programs at accessible prices in order to reach the widest possible audience. Beyond its concerts, it leads numerous initiatives promoting the inclusion of audiences who are distant from culture. The orchestra also shares its musical resources online, free of charge, contributing to the dissemination of period-instrument practice.

Transmission is key to cultivating tomorrow’s audiences and to supporting young people’s growth.
Insula orchestra has made this a central pillar of its work.
The creation in 2021 of the Insula orchestra – Laurence Equilbey Foundation, housed at the Institut de France, represents the concrete expression of this commitment.

The Insula orchestra – Laurence Equilbey Foundation aims to promote inclusion for those who have limited access to culture, the transmission of musical knowledge, and professional integration.
The Foundation also supports the sharing of scientific, musical, and pedagogical resources, and fosters artistic innovation, notably through digital technologies.

• Promoting transmission and professional integration through the hosting of students and academy musicians, professional placements, programming of young artists, and the awarding of prizes and scholarships.
• Encouraging inclusion or underserved and disadvantaged audiences, through arts education programs in priority schools and community settings, participatory creative projects, and welcoming newcomers to France.
• Sharing musical, scientific, and educational resources to support both professional and amateur practice.
• Supporting innovation in artistic and educational approaches to broaden audiences and engage youth, particularly through multidisciplinary stage projects.
• Disseminating art through new technologies, to reach the widest audience via digital platforms, video content, virtual or 360° experiences, comics, and hybrid performances.

“Transmission and access to music have always been at the heart of my musical project. I place great importance on youth and sharing: what I have learned, I want to pass on. I am convinced that a work of art can inspire society and even change a life.”

Laurence Equilbey, founder, artistic and musical director of Insula orchestra

Become a patron of the Insula orchestra – Laurence Equilbey Foundation, and help support a project that unites transmission and innovation, striving to make music accessible to all.

Your donations are processed by the Institut de France, which issues official tax receipts for donors based in France.

Wealth tax (IFI): 75% of your donation is deductible.
Income tax (IRPP): 66% of your donation is deductible.

For example, a €100 donation effectively costs you €25 after IFI deduction, or €34 after income tax deduction.

Corporate tax (IS): 60% of your donation is deductible, up to 0.5% of annual turnover (any excess may be carried forward over the next five years).

For example, a €5,000 donation effectively costs €2,000 after tax deduction.

We invite our international donors to consult their local tax authorities or advisors regarding potential benefits or bilateral agreements.

• Insula camerata, Insula orchestra’s professional integration academy
• Bal(l)ade avec Brahms, a collaborative school production based on Ein deutsches Requiem (Insula orchestra and accentus, January 2026).
• Insulab, our cultural offers for audience members aged 16-28
• The expansion of the “Musique pour nos aîné·es” (Music for Our Elders) project to new regions and partner orchestras, with the support of the Living Lab Vieillissement et Vulnérabilités (Aging and Vulnerabilities Living Lab) at Rennes University Hospital
• LaDocumenta.eu, a European resource center for period-instrument orchestras

• Immersive extensions of the stage project Beethoven Wars
• Fidelio 3.0, a collaborative school production inspired by Beethoven’s Fidelio
• Chœur engagés, an arts education project bringing together 180 middle school, high school, and university students
• Solidarity concerts linked to Insula orchestra’s programming
• New artistic formats developed by Insula orchestra: virtual reality, educational videos, and more
• An international symposium on period-instrument orchestras at La Seine Musicale: recordings of talks by musicologists, conductors, and venue directors
• Le Cen, a resource center dedicated to choral art…

The Board of the Institut de France and the Founders’ Board extend their heartfelt thanks to the generous donors of the Insula orchestra – Laurence Equilbey Foundation.

Xavier Darcos
Bruno Mantovani
Edith Canat de Chizy

Patricia Barbizet
Augustin de Romanet
Laurence Equilbey

Thierry Aulagnon
Patricia Barbizet
Noëlle Bellone
Philippe Chambon
Pierre Clermontel
Augustin De Romanet
Carole Ferrand
Angeles Garcia Poveda
Schabi & Olivier Girard
Philippe Lagayette
Guy Lassalle
Eric Lombard
Mario Temistocles Nolivos Chirinos & Claude Moreaux
Cécile Pozzo di Borgo
Arnaud et Nathalie Sergent
Claude Sibelly
Didier Tabur

Some donors wish to remain anonymous.

• Florian Vuillaume, Director of Fundraising, Partnerships & Public Affairs
• Dorian Dahmane, Foundation Officer, Institut de France