FIAF, 22 East 60th Street
(between Park & Madison)

Photograph by
Jacqueline Chambord

About FIAF

French Institute Alliance Française
22 East 60th Street [map]
Between Park and Madison avenues
New York, NY 10022
Tel. 212 355 6100 [additional contacts]

Press Releases: fiaf.org/pressroom
Career Opportunities: fiaf.org/jobs

Annual Report
Download the 2009 Annual Report (pdf)
FIAF's IRS Form 990: guidestar.org

FIAF is grateful to its corporate members/sponsors for their support.

French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of New York. Its mission is to promote and enhance the knowledge and appreciation of French and Francophone culture, to increase the knowledge of the French language, and to encourage interaction among French, Francophone and American people through programs in education and the arts.

Founded at the turn of 20th century, the French Institute and the Alliance Française de New York operated as two separate organizations, the first promoting French arts, the second teaching French. In 1971 they merged to form what has become one of the largest and most respected centers of French-American activities in the U.S: the French Institute Alliance Française.

Located at 22 East 60th Street between Park and Madison Avenues on New York City’s Upper Eastside, our beautiful Beaux Arts building is reminiscent of the architecture of Haussmann Paris. Over 6000 students learn French at our Language Center, New York's leading center for French language. The Haskell Library is the most comprehensive private French library in the United States. The 400-seat Florence Gould Hall Theater, where we present LIVE performing arts events and New York’s only year-round French cinema series CinémaTuesdays; Tinker Auditorium where we present culinary, literary, and other cultural events; the dramatic penthouse space, Le Skyroom (featuring a demonstration kitchen) where we present exclusive Art de Vivre events; and the recently opened FIAF Gallery ensure FIAF’s place as a vibrant cultural force for New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds.

Cultural Events

A wide-ranging performing arts program presenting a unique mix of theater, music, visual arts and dance. A weekly CinémaTuesdays, features classic and contemporary films which makes FIAF unique in New York City with its presentation of all French movies year-round. We offer a variety of social programs available to members and non-members, such as Rendez-Vous (French conversation gatherings with a French moderator), and Art de Vivre (a series of culinary and art interest programs).

Manhattan Rendezvous by Jacqueline Chambord In this compendium of photos, discover the artists and speakers who crossed the ocean to offer visions of French culture to New Yorkers. A staunch advocate of French culture, Jacqueline Chambord has devoted more than three decades to FIAF, all the while, she has documented, each performing arts event. In French & English Hardcover book with dust jacket. 160 pages, over 250 photos Price: FIAF Members $30 / Non-Members $40 Available for purchase at Reception, the Language Center, and the Library.

Language Center

Part of the Alliance Française’s world-renowned international network, we have been offering the highest-quality French instruction for over 100 years. With over 6000 students, it is the largest in the U.S. and the only language school in New York dedicated to the instruction of French.

Instructors: Native French speakers, fully qualified to teach French as a 2nd language.

Method: Developing communication skills through total immersion in French and by incorporating the use of video, audio, and printed materials, carefully selected to best fit students’ needs.

Courses: Widest variety of courses at all levels and interests for adults, toddlers, kids and teens are scheduled at various convenient times. Classes have a maximum of 12 students to ensure a personalized, student-centered experience.

Prices: The lowest price per hour with the smallest class size in New York.

State-of-the-Art Technology: Many of the classrooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and interactive SMART Boards™.

John & Francine Haskell Library

Our state-of-the-art library (named in honor of long-time patrons John and Francine Haskell) offers more than 35,000 volumes, 2,000 books for children, over 1,000 multimedia volumes (video & audio tapes, DVDs, CDs); computer stations and  video monitors; as well as a self-learning center. The library hosts events in French for adults including Café Philosophique, Cercles de lecture, Paroles littéraires, and Faites vos jeux !

The Haskell Espace Jeunesse is a special place for kids and parents within the Library. Interactive literacy programs for children including L’Heure du conte and Ciné-Club des frimousses are held there.