École Européenne Supérieure de l’Image

What École Européenne Supérieure de l’Image does

École Européenne Supérieure de l'Image (ÉESI) is a French public art school structured as an Établissement public de coopération culturelle (EPCC) under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture, with headquarters in Angoulême and a second campus in Poitiers (both in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region). It delivers a tiered visual arts education: the undergraduate DNA (3 years, 180 ECTS, equivalent to a Licence), the graduate DNSEP (2 additional years, 300 ECTS, equivalent to a Master's), a Master BD in comics in partnership with Université de Poitiers, and a joint doctoral program in artistic creation specializing in comics. Specialized tracks in comics and graphic literature are the institution's distinguishing focus, supported by a UNESCO Chair established following Angoulême's 2019 UNESCO Creative Cities designation in Literature.

The school's technical infrastructure includes a film/TV shooting studio, sound recording studio, post-production suites, an experimental greenhouse, and a Tardis digital fablab for digital and robotic experimentation — with these facilities set to be housed in a new purpose-built Poitiers campus designed by Cosa Architecture opening in September 2026. Beyond instruction, ÉESI operates the Supercanon graduate professionalization program (combining training, residencies, and networking with art centers, foundations, and Fracs), an active research program (DSRA 'Document et art contemporain', the Iles research project), and recurring cultural events (Cinéési student film screenings, the Grand Off festival, international Game Jam). International mobility is integrated into the curriculum via Erasmus+ and bilateral agreements spanning the EU, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

The business model is overwhelmingly public: ÉESI does not charge tuition and is primarily funded by Ministry of Culture subsidies, DRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Grand Poitiers, Grand Angoulême, Ville de Poitiers, and Ville d'Angoulême. Direct fee revenue is limited to a €50 entrance examination fee, €150 VAE dossier filing fees, and €850–€1,800 VAE accompaniment fees, plus supplementary project funding (e.g., ~€1M AFD/FICOL for the ConFluencia Creativa project). Customer acquisition occurs through the national Parcoursup platform, mid-cycle admission commissions, Erasmus+ exchanges, and community-driven cultural events. Governance is exercised by a Board of Directors including regional and local government representatives, with Jeanne Gailhoustet serving as Acting Director General and Charles Reverchon-Billot as President.

Name

École Européenne Supérieure de l’Image

Legal name

École européenne supérieure de l'image

Website

https://eesi.eu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Angoulême

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Funding (Ministry of Culture): As a public art school (Établissement public à caractère culturel - EPCC) under the supervision of the French Ministry of Culture, the school is primarily funded through public subsidies from the Ministry of Culture, DRAC Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and local authorities (Grand Poitiers, Grand Angoulême, Ville de Poitiers, Ville d'Angoulême).
2. Entrance Examination Registration Fees: Candidates pay 50€ registration fees to sit the entrance competition (concours d'entrée) or admission commissions. These fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
3. VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) Fees: Fees for the Validation of Prior Experience process leading to DNA or DNSEP diplomas. Filing fee: 150€; accompaniment and diploma procedure: 1,800€; reduced rate for candidates without third-party financing: 850€.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ÉESI is a public art school under the French Ministry of Culture that delivers tuition-free higher education in visual arts and comics/graphic literature. The core offerings are the DNA undergraduate diploma (3 years), the DNSEP graduate diploma (2 additional years), a joint Master's in Comics with Université de Poitiers, and a doctoral program in artistic creation in comics. Supplementary services include the Supercanon graduate professionalization program (residencies and networking) and the VAE (Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience) pathway for working professionals seeking formal credentials.

Product overview

École Européenne Supérieure de l'Image (ÉESI) is a public art school under the Ministry of Culture with two campuses in Angoulême and Poitiers. The institution offers a comprehensive visual arts education through its undergraduate DNA program and graduate DNSEP program, with specialized tracks in comics/graphic literature. ÉESI also provides a Master's degree in comics in partnership with the University of Poitiers and a doctoral program in comics creation. Supporting programs include Supercanon for graduate professionalization, international exchange through Erasmus+, and student-facing platforms for registration and academic management. The school organizes regular public events including Cinéesi (film screenings) and international Game Jams.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Supercanon: Program developed by ÉESI to support young artists and authors graduating from the school, combining professional training with residencies at art centers and foundations
• ÉESI Angoulême-Poitiers

Products and services

• DNA — Diplôme National d'Art (Premier Cycle / First Cycle) Undergraduate national diploma program in visual arts covering art fundamentals, visual arts practice, theory, and general culture, awarded over 3 years at both campuses. Equivalent to a Licence (180 ECTS). Free tuition.
• DNSEP — Diplôme National Supérieur d'Expression Plastique (Second Cycle) Graduate national diploma program focused on personal artistic project development over 2 additional years at both campuses. Equivalent to a Master's degree (300 ECTS). Free tuition. International mobility integrated from semester 8.
• Master BD — Master en Bande Dessinée (Master's in Comics) Master's-level program in comics and graphic literature offered jointly with Université de Poitiers, combining artistic practice with theoretical research. Free tuition.
• Doctorat de création en Bande Dessinée (Doctorate in Artistic Creation in Comics) Doctoral program in artistic and literary expression specializing in comics, jointly with Université de Poitiers, combining artistic creation with theoretical research. Free tuition.
• Supercanon — Graduate Professionalization Program Post-graduate support program combining training, residencies, and networking for recent ÉESI graduates to launch professional artistic careers. Partners include major art centers, foundations, Frac, and residency spaces; supported by the Ministry of Culture.
• VAE — Validation des Acquis de l'Expérience (Prior Experience Validation) Validation of Prior Experience pathway for experienced working artists (minimum 1 year full-time activity) to obtain formal DNA (Licence level, 180 ECTS) or DNSEP (Master level, 300 ECTS) diplomas. Pricing: 150€ dossier filing, 1,800€ full accompaniment and diploma procedure, 850€ reduced rate for self-funded candidates.

Quantifiable outcome

• UNESCO Creative Cities Network designation (2019) for the city of Angoulême in Literature category, leading to UNESCO Chair creation at ÉESI
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ministère de la CulturecoreOthersThe school operates under the Ministry of Culture's supervision (tutelle), receiving primary public funding through this authority. The Ministry sets regulatory frameworks and provides ongoing institutional support.
• DRAC Nouvelle-AquitainecoreOthersDirection Régionale des Affaires Culturelles provides regional cultural policy oversight and funding for the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
• Région Nouvelle-AquitainecoreOthersRegional council provides significant public funding and strategic support for the school's operations across both Angoulême and Poitiers campuses.
• Ville d'AngoulêmecoreOthersThe city of Angoulême is a founding partner and co-funder of the school, providing local support and aligning with the city's identity as the world capital of comics and UNESCO Creative City in Literature.
• Ville de PoitierscoreOthersThe city of Poitiers provides local funding and support for the school's Poitiers campus, with particular focus on the new campus building in the Couronneries district.
• Université de PoitierscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership (>10 years) for the joint Master BD and Doctoral program in artistic creation specialty comics. The doctorate is prepared at both the university and ÉESI. The partnership includes the new Poitiers campus proximity to the university pole.
• ERASMUS+ Program PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo-thirds of international partnerships are within the EU through ERASMUS+. Bilateral agreements also exist with institutions in Canada, USA, Mexico, Argentina, Senegal, China, and Japan. OID: E10099840. Maximum ERASMUS+ funding rates available for all mobility requests.
• UNESCO Creative Cities NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerÉESI received UNESCO Chair designation following Angoulême's 2019 UNESCO Creative City (Literature) status. The Chair aims to facilitate and promote international higher education in comics and graphic literature. The school leads a 'Partenariat de coopération' project (from 2023) aligned with this Chair.
• Supercanon Partner NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupercanon is a hybrid professionalization program combining training, residencies, and networking. Partners include: Confort moderne, Maison des auteurs de la Cibdi, Can Serrat Art Residency, CIAPV Vassivière, Villa Bloch (Ville de Poitiers), and École d'art de Grand Angoulême, with support from the Ministry of Culture.
• Can Serrat Art ResidencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational artist residency center in El Bruc, Catalonia, Spain. ÉESI sponsors travel and provides a residency bursary for ÉESI graduates. Hosts 5-month residencies for graduates. Alumni include: Chloé Azzopardi (2018), Marianne Vieulès (2019), Mathis Sabrié (2020), Coline Genebrier (2021), Lucille Saillant (2021), Emma Pinoteau (2022), Morgane Larousserie (2022), Laura Waltsburger (2023), Victoria Cayre (2023), Kelly Chery Boegly (2024), Emma Fernandez (2024).
• IFAN and ISAC (Dakar, Senegal)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPedagogical collaborations with Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire and Institut Supérieur des Arts et des Cultures in Dakar, including student trips for the Dakar Biennale, Erasmus+ 'Mobilité Internationale de Crédits/Sénégal' subsidy (36-month grant obtained 2019), and hosting of Dakarois students and faculty at ÉESI.
• Frac Poitou-CharentesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFonds régional d'art contemporain de Nouvelle-Aquitaine regularly hosts graduate and student exhibitions, including '2 Kilomètres so far away' featuring ÉESI graduates' work. Provides public visibility and professional gallery exposure.
• Fanzinothèque de PoitiersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Europe's largest independent publishing archives (since 1989), archiving fanzines, brochures, and amateur reviews. Partners with ÉESI for the Grand Off festival exhibitions on feminist and utopian fanzines, providing cultural programming and community engagement.
• ESA Saint-Luc de BruxellesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerÉcole Supérieure d'Art Saint-Luc in Brussels partnered with ÉESI and Université de Poitiers for the 2025 International Game Jam. An Institut Français-funded international partnership, with a reciprocal event planned for February 2026 in Brussels.
• TEC de Monterrey (EAAD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEscuela de Arquitectura, Arte y Diseño in Mexico is the designated Mexican partner for the ConFluencia Creativa project, a 3-year 1000k€ initiative (AFD funding ~700k€) to create a Digital Arts Master's, support cultural entrepreneurship, and develop creative territories. ÉESI coordinates with EMCA and ENJMIN on this project.
• EMCA and ENJMINminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerÉcole supérieure d'Art et de Design de Cognac and École Nationale de Jeux et Médias Interactifs Numériques participate in the ConFluencia Creativa project led by ÉESI, contributing to the Digital Arts Master's development component alongside TEC de Monterrey.
• ChiFouMi / Pierre Feuille CiseauxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation dedicated to recognizing new forms of comics, which organizes the Pierre Feuille Ciseaux festival. Partnered with ÉESI and FIBD for the 2019 international workshop (PFC#6) with 20 students from 10 schools including Chulalongkorn (Bangkok), HEAR Strasbourg, LUCA Brussels, ERG Brussels, University of Stellenbosch, School of Visual Art Reykjavík, Aalto University, and HEAD Geneva.
• Documents d'artistes Nouvelle-AquitaineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation producing editorial films about regional visual artists. Organized 'Portraits filmés' screening event at ÉESI with ÉESI graduates Céline Domengie and Christophe Clottes, as part of the 'Dialogues' project supported by the arts sector contract.
• Les Presses du RéelminorOthersPublishing house that published Sophie Leclercq's book 'Éduquer et séduire – Images scolaires de l'Empire au temps colonial (1870-1960)'. The school features its faculty member's publication as a key institutional output.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• LUCA School of Arts (Brussels): Belgian higher education art school with comparable audiovisual, comics, and visual arts programs. Directly comparable as a francophone European peer institution with overlapping specializations referenced in the ChiFouMi international workshop collaborations.
• HEAR Strasbourg (Haute école des arts du Rhin): French public art school operating under Ministry of Culture supervision, offering DNA/DNSEP-equivalent programs across multiple campuses. Directly comparable as a peer French higher education art institution with similar public funding structure and degree-granting authority.
• EMCA Angoulême (École supérieure d'Art et de Design de Cognac): Regional French public art school located in the same Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, partnered with ÉESI on the ConFluencia Creativa project. Highly comparable as a Le Grand Huit (G8) consortium peer with shared VAE pathway and similar DNA/DNSEP offerings.
• ERG Brussels (École de Recherche Graphique): Brussels-based francophone art school participating in the ChiFouMi international workshop alongside ÉESI. Comparable as a direct peer in European graphic arts and comics higher education with similar DNA-equivalent programs.
• ENJMIN (École Nationale du Jeu et des Médias Interactifs Numériques): French public school specializing in interactive media and game design, partnered with ÉESI on the ConFluencia Creativa Digital Arts Master's. Comparable as a peer in the art-tech/digital arts higher education space serving overlapping applicant pools.
• HEAD Geneva (Haute école d'art et de design): Swiss public art and design school with comparable DNA/DNSEP-equivalent curriculum scope and similar public institutional status. Directly comparable as a European peer offering visual arts, comics, and new media programs.
• ECAL Lausanne: Swiss public art and design university with comparable DNA/DNSEP-equivalent offerings and strong international reputation. Directly comparable as a European peer institution participating in the ChiFouMi international workshop with ÉESI.
• ESA Saint-Luc Bruxelles: Brussels-based higher education art school partnered with ÉESI on the 2025 International Game Jam and planned reciprocal events. Comparable as a French-speaking European art school offering DNA/DNSEP-equivalent degrees with similar fine arts and audiovisual specializations.

Others

• Université de Poitiers: Long-standing academic partner (>10 years) running the joint Master BD and doctoral program in artistic creation with ÉESI. Comparable as a higher education institution partner rather than a direct competitor, but a key reference for understanding ÉESI's research positioning.

Broad incumbents

• ENSBA Paris (École nationale supérieure des beaux-arts): France's flagship public art school under Ministry of Culture supervision, offering the same DNA/DNSEP framework but with substantially broader program scope and a more prestigious Paris-based brand. Comparable as a broader incumbent in French art higher education.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/eesiangoulemepoitiers
• Facebookfacebook.com/ecoleeuropeennesuperieuredelimage
• Instagraminstagram.com/_eesi_ecole_art_
• Xx.com/EESI_ESA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about École Européenne Supérieure de l’Image