History, Administrative Governance & Public Benefit Charter
The statutory foundations, democratic leadership council, and historical trajectory of association MATOUTOU under the French Law of July 1, 1901.
The Genesis of an Independent Cultural Infrastructure
MATOUTOU was conceived by a collective of Parisian educators, graphic illustrators, and audiovisual technicians who identified a profound structural deficit in accessible cultural production. In the early 2000s, as digital graphic tablets, high-definition digital cameras, and nonlinear video editing suites began replacing analog media, the cost of entering creative industries skyrocketed. While software manufacturers promoted digital democratization in promotional campaigns, the reality on the ground was stark: high-end hardware, proprietary license subscriptions, and formal training curricula remained concentrated in elite private academies requiring tuition fees far beyond the reach of working-class families and community organizations.
In response to this disparity, our founders convened in the 10th arrondissement of Paris to draft the initial articles of association under the French Law of July 1, 1901, and the Decree of August 16, 1901. The formal constitution was deposited with the Paris Prefecture, resulting in our permanent National Directory of Associations identification (RNA W161003310) and our national statistical registration under SIREN 514592815, operating under NAF Code 90.02Z (Support Activities to Performing Arts and Creative Cultural Operations).
From our inaugural mobile workshops in neighborhood municipal libraries to our current stable headquarters at 36 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Martin, MATOUTOU has adhered unwaveringly to an egalitarian ethos. We recognized early on that mere access to software does not produce authentic creative empowerment. What aspiring creators need is an encouraging community environment, structured pedagogical guidance, rigorous historical grounding in sequential art, and a collaborative forum where peer critique fosters technical excellence and critical consciousness.
Over more than two decades of continuous non-profit activity, MATOUTOU has preserved its civic independence. We have deliberately rejected venture capital investment, corporate sponsorship arrangements with predatory advertising strings, and speculative monetization schemes. Our allegiance belongs solely to our members, the local communities we serve, and the broader public interest.
Statutory Identifiers Summary
- Official Name: MATOUTOU
- Legal Structure: Association régie par la Loi du 1er Juillet 1901
- RNA Registration: W161003310
- SIREN Number: 514592815
- NAF / APE Code: 90.02Z
- Administrative Seat: 36 RUE DU FAUBOURG SAINT-MARTIN, 75010 PARIS
- Prefecture Jurisdiction: Préfecture de Police de Paris
The Administrative Framework: Sovereign Assembly & Executive Council
Governance at MATOUTOU operates in strict fidelity to democratic non-profit principles. The supreme decision-making body of the association is the General Assembly (Assemblée Générale), which convenes annually in plenary session. Every member who has satisfied their statutory obligations possesses an equal vote under the historic principle of "one person, one vote", irrespective of whether they are a founding veteran, a volunteer instructor, or an apprentice who enrolled within the current year.
The General Assembly exercises exclusive authority over the following statutory competencies:
- Deliberation & Adoption of the Moral Report: The President presents a comprehensive narrative account of all activities, workshops, public exhibitions, and partnership agreements concluded during the previous fiscal exercise.
- Approval of the Financial Ledger & Accounts: The Treasurer submits the balance sheet, profit and loss statement, and public subsidy allocation ledgers for sovereign audit and vote by the assembly.
- Election & Renewal of the Administrative Council: Members vote by secret ballot to elect administrators tasked with steering the association's strategic orientation between assemblies.
- Modification of Statutory Articles: Any amendment to the association’s statutory bylaws or internal regulations requires a qualified two-thirds majority of voting members present or represented.
Between General Assemblies, administrative stewardship is delegated to an elected Board of Directors (Bureau). In strict compliance with French tax regulations governing public-interest entities (gestion désintéressée, Articles 200 and 238 bis of the Code Général des Impôts), all directors serve entirely on a volunteer basis without financial compensation, attendance fees, or private material emoluments.
The Elected Board of Directors & Advisory Secretariat
Profiles of the volunteer officers elected to administer the day-to-day statutory operations of MATOUTOU.
President of the Board
Ensures the statutory compliance of all association proceedings, oversees official relations with the Paris Prefecture and municipal partners, convenes the General Assembly, and guarantees that all educational programs strictly align with our public-benefit mandate under Loi 1901.
General Secretary
Maintains the official association registry (registre spécial), records minutes of all board and assembly deliberations, manages correspondence with public regulatory bodies, and supervises the intake of public communications submitted to our secretariat.
Treasurer
Exercises continuous stewardship over operating bank accounts, supervises the strict non-commercial allocation of membership dues and municipal subsidies, prepares annual balance sheets, and liaises with external certified chartered accountants for independent verification.
Open Auditing & Public Transparency
In an era when the non-profit sector faces heightened public scrutiny regarding resource management, MATOUTOU takes immense pride in its exemplary compliance record. Every euro entering our institutional accounts is traceable from its point of origin to its precise educational destination.
We reject the opaque overhead spending often observed in large charitable conglomerates. Our overhead expenditures are kept to the absolute bare minimum required for basic facility rent, electricity, and telecommunications. More than 88% of our annual operational budget is channeled directly into front-line educational materials, computer maintenance, drawing instruments, and community exhibition fixtures.
Citizens, public oversight bodies, and partner institutions are invited to request copies of our audited financial statements at any point during the civic year by contacting our secretariat in writing.
Have Questions Regarding Our Governance or Non-Profit Status?
Our administrative secretariat welcomes inquiries from citizens, researchers, civic organizers, and administrative officials seeking official documentation or statutory consultations.
Contact Our Secretariat