Louvre Abu Dhabi has signed another Memorandum of Understanding to extend collaboration, this time with NYU Abu Dhabi.
The MoU route is an accepted mechanism in UAE institutions to formalise a relationship without specifying very much in the way of actual commitment. In this case the MoU promises collaboration “ranging from education, research, and talent development to performances and programmes”. Key areas mentioned include “exchanges among faculty, staff, and students through programmes, events, and research projects”; mutual access to facilities for research and programming; jointly organised events and programming; and internships and mentoring opportunities for NYUAD students and alumni – plus “a whole range of other potential opportunities for partnership in the arts”.
In fact the two institutions have already worked together on a number of projects including the Reframing Museums virtual symposium on the challenges and responsibilities facing museums in light of COVID-19. Other events have piggybacked on NYUAD Arts Center programming like the 10th anniversary Rooftop Rhythms (which was hosted at the museum) and an evening of contemporary dance by Aakash Odedra. There have also been some specific collaborations, notably last year’s Eid Digital Calligraffiti under the Dome, plus joint conservation work involving NYUAD scientists and LouvreAD specialists working together.
It makes good sense, especially with the addition of the internship/mentoring routes towards careers in museology, curating and conservation. so Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, was able to describe the MoU as “a celebration of the continuous growth of our partnership” which “directly supports our core mission of telling stories of cultural connections through compelling exhibitions, educational and cultural programmes, and research initiatives … Louvre Abu Dhabi has fast become an important centre of learning in the emirate and the MoU allows us to engage in further initiatives that provide lasting benefit to an even greater number of student artists, researchers, educators and all those in the arts and culture community in the UAE.
“We are excited for what the future holds and look forward to the cultural exchange and artistic opportunities resulting from this signing.”
NYUAD Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann pointed to the “unique and related roles” of the two institutions in terms of “learning, discovery, and the preservation of the world’s cultural heritage”. Today we celebrate our pledge to continue to promote our shared values, vision, and purpose. We look forward to working together and honouring our mission in the global crossroads of Abu Dhabi to nurture tomorrow’s leaders of the art world and serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas.”
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