We often think of the areas around schools as mere thoroughfares. Yet they serve as the main gateway to a neighborhood for hundreds of children, parents, and local residents. It is there that, every day, a key role is played in urban safety and community spirit. Discover the “Sécurité École by Art” program led by the Renault Foundation and PALM.
Summary
Overview Introduction to the Sécurité École by Art program
Since 2024, PALM has been working with the Renault Foundation to roll out the Sécurité École by Art program. This program aims to make art a vibrant, shared experience that promotes road safety.
The experience begins the moment you arrive: colors, shapes, and visual cues send a strong message. They attract attention, encourage people to slow down, and calm traffic flow, all while revealing the identity of the place.
Street murals to encourage drivers to slow down
This program combines active design and co-creation. Artists, residents, and children design clear routes, focal points, and messages for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. School zones become recognizable, shared, and welcoming spaces. A powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering civic engagement.
A program taking place throughout France, featuring local artists
Each project supports the artistic scene and embodies values of living together, inclusion, and respect for the environment. More than just decorations, these are visual manifestos serving users and safety.
Art for Prevention
By involving children in the creative process, the project transforms “ murals ” into a medium for dialogue rather than mere street art. The colors, characters, and scenes of daily life serve as visual cues that remind pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers of the need to share the street. Through PALM and the Renault Foundation, art emerges here as a tool for raising awareness, educating the public, and fostering pride in the city.
A Strong Regional Presence at the Heart of Industrial History
The selection of these locations was no accident. The cities chosen by the Renault Foundation to roll out the program are all closely tied to the industrial and regional history of the Renault Group and its sports car brand, Alpine. Whether it’s Dieppe (the historic birthplace of Alpine), Douai (production site for the electric Alpine A290), Cléon (mechanical engineering hub), Viry-Châtillon (Alpine Racing), or Boulogne-Billancourt (historic headquarters), this artistic network directly impacts and supports the communities that keep the Group running on a daily basis.
Examples of "School Safety by Art" Projects
- Les Mureaux (78) – Amy Jones : a pop and optimistic world inspired by the Seine, with words and shapes that embody the local spirit.
- Dieppe (76) – Fabien Mazé : echoes of the architectural heritage and the port; a geometric and maritime language linking history and the present.
- Boulogne-Billancourt (92) – Helena Pallarés : monumental murals, human figures, and motifs celebrating diversity and civic engagement.
- Douai (59) – Perrine Honoré : spontaneity, abstraction, and figurative art in a festive world inspired by a child’s imagination.
- Cléon (76) – NAIF : dual themes of secularism/fraternity and nature; simple yet powerful compositions promoting respect and environmentalism.
- Maubeuge (59) – Florian Schneider : a series of works on community life, featuring multiple generations sharing public spaces.
- Viry-Châtillon (91) – Superbab: a playful ground- murals ct celebrating local biodiversity and sports to make school grounds safer.
Art around schools is not just about beautification. It is a concrete tool to enhance safety, educate, and connect.
Thank you to our partner cities, the Renault Foundation, the artists, and all the children who are transforming these daily commutes into safer, more colorful, and more inspiring spaces.
Watch this video to learn more about the initiative:
See also
