A Journey Through French Museums: Highlights from the Fall 2025 Museums Next Generation Program for American Curators

The program was designed to accelerate professional development for museum leaders and strengthen collaboration between French and American curators.

Launched in 2023, Villa Albertine’s Museums Next Generation is an exchange and immersion program for French and American curators.  

For its third edition, seven curators explored leading cultural institutions in Paris, Marseilles, and Aix-en-Provence (in the context of “Année Cézanne”), engaging in rich conversations with their French counterparts. These exchanges offered the cohort a unique 360-degree perspective on how French institutions operate, innovate, and connect with their audiences.

The insights gathered during Museums Next Generation highlight both similarities and cultural contrasts between French and American museum models. All the discussions led to meaningful transatlantic dialogues and discussions on collaborative innovation in shaping the museums of tomorrow.

Take a look at key highlights from this year’s Museums Next Generation program below!

Overview

After landing, the group enjoyed their first visits to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Musée Rodin in Paris.

At the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the cohort took part in an engaging conversation with the Director focused on leadership, the articulation of an institutional vision, and the dynamics of guiding teams toward new directions. The visit also included a rare behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s advanced fashion conservation studios, followed by a tour of its outstanding Art Deco exhibition marking the centennial of the movement.

The day continued at the Musée Rodin, where the team shared a transparent overview of their fundraising strategy, their approach to venue rentals, and several new initiatives designed for children and families.

Altogether, it was a highly inspiring first day, offering the cohort valuable insights into institutional strategy, innovation, and museum practice.

Visiting the exhibition on Art Deco at MAD Paris ©OliviaBourrat

An inspiring second day of exchanges and discoveries for our delegation of American curators in Paris.

From illuminating conversations at the Louvre with Laurence des Cars and Olivier Gabet—and the rare privilege of visiting the galleries on a closing day—to in-depth discussions at the Institut national du patrimoine and the Fondation Cartier with Chris Dercon, Juliette Lecorne, and Béatrice Grenier, the day offered powerful reflections on museum strategy, professional training, and curatorial identity.

The group visited the Mona Lisa alone when the Louvre was closed for the day, followed by a visit to the “Exposition Generale” at the Fondation Cartier.

On day three, an unexpected discovery: the wonderful Musée de la Marine at the Trocadéro, explored with Louise Contant, Director of Collections. A true hidden gem, the museum reopened last year and stands as a model in terms of accessibility and diversity policy.

The day continued with inspiring discussions with Guillaume Desanges and Daria de Beauvais, who shared their vision of embedding ecological awareness and collective well-being into every aspect of the museum—from supporting teams and artists to reimagining “third spaces” beyond exhibition halls, opening them up for creation, mediation, and residencies.

Visit and discussion at Musée de la Marine in Paris and Palais de Tokyo with Guillaume Desanges and Daria de Beauvais.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Musée national des arts asiatiques – Guimet. The discussions focused on several key topics, including the use of artificial intelligence in museum practice, ongoing provenance research, and the museum’s ambitious initiatives to develop exhibitions and public programs across different regions of France, enhancing the visibility and understanding of Asian art.

On the rooftop of the Musée Guimet with Lise Mesz, Director of the Gimet’s Villa, and Pierre Baptiste, Director of Collections.

Day four began with a visit to the Bibliothèque nationale de France, where the delegation explored the recently renovated museum (reopened in 2022) and its remarkable encyclopedic collections.

The group then proceeded to the Institut national d’histoire de l’art (INHA) to learn about its research programs, professional grants, and key digital resources, including the Aghora database, an essential tool for provenance research.

At the Ministry of Culture, discussions were held with the Directorate for Legal and International Affairs, the Department of French Museums, and representatives of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, led by Aurélien Chaquin-Torres, focusing on shared priorities in artistic and museum cooperation.

The day concluded with a presentation by Émilie Vanhesbroeck and Caite Pantzer on the FRAME association and its dynamic transatlantic network linking French and North American museums.

A full day dedicated to dialogue, collaboration, and cultural exchange.

A visit to the Musée at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France with Cécile Colonna and Emmanuel Coquery.

The delegation spent day five in Paris exploring key institutions dedicated to cultural heritage and museum practice.

In the morning, the group was received at the Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac for a visit of the permanent galleries and in-depth discussions with Angélique Delorme and Magali Melandri. The delegation also had the opportunity to learn more about the museum’s evolution as it approaches its 20th anniversary, and to visit the restoration workshops and the “museothèque” with Éléonore Kissel.

In the afternoon, the delegation was welcomed at the Musée de l’Homme by Aurélie Clément-Ruiz, where they discovered the museum’s renewed identity and redesigned exhibitions, marking ten years since its reopening. The visit offered valuable insights into how museums continue to evolve in their presentation of the history of humanity.

Discussions inside the restauration workshop of the Musée du quai Branly with Elénore Kissel; Discovering the “Wall of Mother Tongs” at Musée de l’Homme.

After an intensive weekend of visits and meetings in Paris, the Museums Next Generation delegation continued its program in Marseille.

The visit began at the Musée Cantini, where Director Amélie Lavin and Deputy Director Louise Madinier presented their vision for developing a more inclusive and diverse modern art collection, reflecting the multiple modernities of the Mediterranean and beyond.

In the afternoon, the delegation explored the Museum of African, Oceanian, and Native American Art and La Vieille Charité. Nicolas Misery, recent Villa Albertine resident and Director of the Museums of Marseille, outlined his ambitions to renew museum narratives across the city’s network.

A day rich in perspectives and inspiration for the museums of tomorrow.

Visit of the Musée Cantini and the Vieille Charité in Marseille

On day nine of the journey, the delegation continued its program in Marseille with a visit to the American Gallery, a dynamic venue dedicated to artistic residencies, performances, and installations that has been active for more than sixteen years under the leadership of its founder, Pamela King.

The group was then received by Marc and Josée Gensollen at La Fabrique, their exceptional home designed as a space for conceptual art. The hosts shared their longstanding commitment to contemporary creation and offered valuable insights informed by their experience as major private collectors.

The day was marked by enriching encounters and discussions highlighting creativity, engagement, and the role of art in fostering connections and new perspectives.

Meeting with artists at Pamela King’s Gallery and afternoon immersed in Gensollen’s amazing private collection.

The delegation continued its program in Marseille with a full day dedicated to discovery and exchange.

The morning began at the Mucem, where Enguerrand Lascols, a former participant in the Museums Next Generation program, provided a guided tour of the site. The delegation also met with members of the museum team — Marie-Charlotte Calafat, Aude Fanlot, and Maxime Bergerot — for an in-depth discussion. The visit included an exploration of the galleries and the exhibition Lire le ciel, whose curatorial approach and interpretive framework resonated strongly with the American participants. The delegation also visited the museum’s off-site collections’ storage facility, considered a model in the sector.

In the afternoon, the group visited the Friche la Belle de Mai, a major cultural and creative hub in Marseille, where they were welcomed by Alban Corbier-Labasse, Céline Emas-Jarousseau, and Victorine Grataloup. Following a tour of the exhibition spaces and shared facilities, the delegation met with several resident artists in their studios, offering a fitting conclusion to a day rich in dialogue, creativity, and exchange.

Fascinating discussions at MUCEM and beautiful visits at the Friche Belle de Mai

On day 11, the delegation continued its program in Aix-en-Provence with a day dedicated to exploring sites associated with Paul Cézanne.

The morning began at the Musée Granet, where the group was welcomed by Director Bruno Ely, who presented the museum’s strategic priorities, including its international objectives. The visit then continued at the Musée du Vieil Aix, guided by its director, Milène Cuvillier.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited Cézanne’s studio at Les Lauves, followed by his family home at Jas de Bouffan, hosted by Pierre Laforest. These visits provided valuable insights into the artist’s creative environment and the ongoing efforts to preserve and interpret his legacy.

The day offered a rich opportunity for reflection and exchange in places that remain profoundly marked by Cézanne’s presence and artistic spirit.

Discussions at the Musée Granet and timeless moments at Cezanne’s studio Les Lauves.

On the final day of Museums Next Generation, the delegation explored the landscapes that inspired Cézanne during a walk through the beautiful Bibemus quarries, before heading home.

Learn more about this year’s participants here.