Agency established to push Louvre Abu Dhabi

A powerful new cultural agency has been established to steer the development of the planned Louvre Abu Dhabi, to be built on Saadiyat Island.

The French Museums agency will collaborate with the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), and will be headed by Marc Ladreit de Lacharriére, publisher of the intellectual periodical Revue des Deux Mondes.

Former Centre Pompidou executive director Bruno Maquart will serve as executive director of the new agency.

TDIC and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) chairman His Excellency Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan said the agency would comprise "some of the finest minds of the French cultural arena".

The agency is expected to supply expertise in the areas of restoration, curatorship and exhibition design, as well as provide training for the Museum Operating Body that will be in charge of the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

"Our long-term ambition is to see UAE nationals fully trained in these specialist fields, and we intend to activate a series of art and cultural education initiatives to ignite within young Emiratis a determination to take up vocations in these sectors," Sheikh Sultan said. "A dedicated training action plan will be rolled out within 18 months, with training sessions to be held in France and Abu Dhabi."

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM