NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) and Louvre Abu Dhabi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) today to celebrate their shared achievements and further strengthen their collaboration in several key areas. These range from education, research, and talent development to performances and programs.
The two institutions have collaborated on a number of key projects. Some of these included Reframing Museums, a live, virtual symposium on new challenges and responsibilities facing museums in light of COVID-19; the NYUAD China Gulf Forum; and the NYUAD Tenth Talks, as part of the University’s 10th anniversary celebrations, among many others.
NYUAD and Louvre Abu Dhabi have also collaborated in the implementation of several cultural programs, such as the Eid Digital Calligraffiti; the Rooftop Rhythms at Louvre Abu Dhabi, which featured live poetry and music; the Echoes, CUT, & Constellations by Akash Odedra; a performance by DJ Spooky; as well as an Art History Workshop, to name a few. These initiatives extend to collaborations between scientists at NYUAD and conservation specialists at Louvre Abu Dhabi, who together study the historical deterioration of materials used in works of art.
NYUAD Vice Chancellor Mariët Westermann commented: “Our partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi goes far beyond our collaboration in hosting conferences, workshops, and cultural programs. Universities and museums hold unique and related roles in civil societies as institutions 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 honoring 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.”
Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said, “Today’s signing with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) is a celebration of the continuous growth of our partnership, and 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 the arts and culture community in the UAE. We have collaborated with NYUAD for a number of years and found in them a partner that shares our values. We are excited for what the future holds and look forward to the cultural exchange and artistic opportunities resulting from this signing.”
The MoU between NYUAD and Louvre Abu Dhabi outlines key areas of collaboration between the two institutions, including exchanges among faculty, staff, and students through programs, events, and research projects; mutual access to institutional facilities for research and programming (workshops, laboratories, scientific tools); joint public events and cultural programming; internships and mentoring programs for NYUAD students and alumni; as well as a whole range of other potential opportunities for partnership in the arts.
