A Journey Through France: Reflecting on the 2024 Museums Next Generation Program
(c) Villa Albertine
Relive the 2024 Museums Next Generation program, as seven American curators embarked on a 10-day exploration of France’s vibrant museum scene from October 14–24.
Launched in 2023 by the French Embassy in the U.S. and Villa Albertine, Museums Next Generation is an exchange and immersion program for the next generation of French and American curators.
For its second edition, seven American curators were selected in summer 2024 for a 10-day immersion trip to explore France’s museum ecosystem and meet with French professionals.
Explore the exciting lineup of visits and meetings, ranging from historic institutions in Paris to an in-depth exploration of both modern and medieval fine arts in Strasbourg and Nancy.
Schedule:
Day 1: A Grand Opening in Paris
The ten-day journey began at the French Ministry of Culture’s Museum Department with insightful discussions on the French museum ecosystem and policy and the French American Museum Exchange program (FRAME). Speakers included Yannick Faure, Christelle Creff, Estelle Guille des Buttes, and Emilie Vanhaesebroucke.
At midday, participants visited the Institut National du Patrimoine, a cultural heritage institute, for an engaging session with its director, Charles Personnaz, and Séverine Blenner-Michel, head of curator studies.
The day concluded with two iconic museum visits: a preview of the Figures du fou exhibition at the Louvre with its director, Laurence des Cars, and the opening of Corps-In.visibles at the Musée Rodin.
Day 2: Musée du Quai Branly, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musée Carnavalet
On the second day, participants immersed themselves in cultural heritage and modern art, beginning with a visit to Musée du Quai Branly to meet Anne-Solene Rolland, Gaëlle Beaujean-Baltzer, and Eléonore Kissel for discussions on heritage, African art, and preservation.
The afternoon featured the Surrealists exhibition at the Centre Pompidou, followed by a meeting with CEO Laurent Le Bon and Xavier Rey, Director of the National Museum of Modern Art.
The day ended with the opening of 1793-1794: A Revolutionary Year at Musée Carnavalet.
Day 3: The US Embassy in Paris, Musee d’Orsay, and the MNG Alumni Reunion
The day began with a warm welcome at the U.S. Embassy and a tour of the historic Talleyrand Hotel, renowned for its elegant diplomatic salons. At the Musée d’Orsay, participants engaged in enriching discussions with Sylvain Amic, the museum’s director, and Paul Perrin, director of collections. The evening concluded with a gathering of past laureates and program supporters at the splendid Palais Galliera.
Day 4: POUSH and Art Basel Paris
Participants began the day at POUSH in Aubervilliers, where founders Laure and Alexandre Colliex provided a tour of their dynamic artist hub and insights into its innovative support model, followed by a lunch at the Poush café.
In the afternoon, they visited the Musée Rodin for a meeting with director Amélie Simier and Catherine Duchêne, exploring the museum’s history, economic strategies, and global initiatives. They also toured the Corps In.visibles exhibition with curator Marine Kisiel.
The evening concluded in style with VIP access to the opening of Art Basel Paris, showcasing cutting-edge contemporary art.
Day 5: Palais Galliera, Musée Carnavalet, and Viva Villa at Gaîté Lyrique
The day began at the Palais Galliera, where participants attended a presentation on Paris Musées by Celine Marchand and toured the museum with its director, Miren Arzalluz.
In the afternoon, they explored Parisian history at Musée Carnavalet, meeting curator Hélène Ducaté and Noémie Giard, Head of Public Programs.
The evening wrapped up with the vibrant Viva Villa party at Gaîté Lyrique, celebrating four French Villas’ global cultural initiatives.
Day 6 – 8: An Exploration of Paris and Strasbourg
After taking time to explore Paris, participants journeyed east to the enchanting city of Strasbourg. There, they visited the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain and the Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame, engaging in discussions with museum teams about their collections and curatorial practices. The day also included a visit to the Palais Rohan, where they explored its Decorative Arts and Fine Arts galleries.
Day 9: A Day in Nancy
Marking the third and final stop of their tour, the group travelled to another gem of the East, Nancy. Participants began the day at the Palais des Ducs de Lorraine – Musée Lorrain, where Frédérique Gaujacq, responsible for museum collections, presented the shared reserve of museums on the city’s outskirts. They then heard from Richard Dargone, director of the Museums of Nancy, who shared insights on the ongoing renovation project at the Lorraine Museum at the Ducal Palace.
In the afternoon, the group visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Nancy, where curators Sophie Laroche and Kenza-Marie Safraoui presented the thought-provoking exhibition Should We Burn the Museums? They also met with Lucie Chappé, head of the public department, who provided an overview of the museum’s public programming.
Day 10 – FRAME Congress
To round off the trip, participants began the day with a visit to Villa Majorelle, guided by Valérie Thomas, director of the École de Nancy Museum, followed by a tour of the École de Nancy Museum. The discussions centered around the intersection of art, architecture, and regional heritage, highlighting the museum’s significance in preserving the Art Nouveau movement.
In the afternoon, the group arrived at the Museum of Fine Arts for an impactful conference on the theme “Research from, Issues and Practices in France and the United States.” Catherine Chevillot, General Curator at the Ministry of Culture, and Lucian Simmons, Head of Provenance at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, led discussions on provenance research and its challenges. The day concluded with the opening of Visions, a photography exhibition showcasing three innovative projects, followed by an evening cocktail reception at the Foyer de l’Opéra, hosted by FRAME, bringing together cultural professionals for further networking and reflection
See the full list of participants here.
Interested in taking part in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure? Stay tuned for more information about our 2025 call for US candidates here.
In partnership with
Institut national du patrimoine
The Institut national du patrimoine is an institute of higher education under the auspices of the French Ministry of Culture. The mission of the Institute is to recruit candidates through competitive entrance examinations and provide initial training to heritage curators and conservators-restorers. Training for these two closely related and complementary professions within the same establishment is unique in Europe. The Inp also proposes a wide range of continuing education program for both French and foreign heritage professionals. It is also a place for cultural diffusion through lectures and seminars and the opportunity to work along with other French and foreign heritage institutions and universities. Lastly, the Inp places its missions and actions within a network of international cooperation by sending its students on training program abroad, welcoming other foreign trainee students and exporting its training and expertise strategies.
FRAME (FRench American Museum Exchange)
For 25 years, FRAME (FRench American Museum Exchange) has played the role of a cultural bridge between France, the United States, and, more recently, Canada. This non-profit organization (501(c)3) promotes dialogue as a principle of mutual understanding between these countries through the collaboration of around thirty major museums in France and North America. This unique international network fosters the development of exhibitions, innovative educational programs, research missions, and the exchange of professional practices on both sides of the Atlantic.