Villa Albertine and the Smithsonian Institution Sign a Landmark Multi-Year Agreement at the French Residence in the United States

Washington, D.C., December 5, 2025 — Villa Albertine, the French Institute for Culture and Education, and the Smithsonian Institution are pleased to announce the signing of a multi-year agreement to initiate a partnership between the organizations.

The memorandum of understanding was signed at a reception at the residence of the French Ambassador to the United States, where the Ambassador, Mr. Laurent Bili, and the leaders of Villa Albertine and the Smithsonian were present. French and American curators and administrators from major museums across the United States were also in attendance for this landmark event.

This new partnership establishes a strong foundation for collaboration in the arts, culture, and education. More than just an exchange, the partnership represents a shared vision to deepen ties and inspire future projects between two world-class institutions.

Villa Albertine and the Smithsonian aim to deepen transatlantic dialogue and create new opportunities for artistic residencies, research initiatives, educational programs, and public engagement. Together, the two institutions reaffirm their shared belief in the power of cultural cooperation to advance knowledge, creativity, and mutual understanding.

“It is our hope that this agreement serves as a symbol of openness and mutual support at a time when museums need to strengthen international cooperation to address the challenges they are facing,” said Mohamed Bouabdallah, Cultural Counselor of France in the United States and Director of Villa Albertine. “It will facilitate a broad range of initiatives, including fostering professional exchanges and development of joint programs made accessible to the American public.”

“We are thrilled to join Villa Albertine in this important partnership, which reflects our shared commitment to cultural exchange and collaboration,” said Aviva Rosenthal, Director of the Smithsonian’s Office of Global Affairs. “Together, we can create new opportunities for artists, scholars and educators on both sides of the Atlantic by strengthening dialogue and connecting our audiences in meaningful ways.”

This new multi-year collaboration is fully aligned with Villa Albertine’s broader strategy to establish long-term institutional partnerships with American partners across the United States — most recently with the Getty in Los Angeles — and to expand these collaborations in number and depth in the years ahead.