Louvre Abu Dhabi has officially launched its innovative Fellowships and Grants Programme, aimed at encouraging pioneering research in art and history by inviting scholars and museum professionals from around the globe. This initiative is designed to spark innovative ideas, promote cross-cultural dialogue, and provide new perspectives within the international art community.
The programme is structured around three main thematic areas: ‘Global History of Museums and Collections,’ ‘Circulation of Styles, Images and Texts,’ and ‘Precious Materials and Routes of Exchange.’ Through these axes, the programme intends to explore critical topics in art history, expanding the museum’s ongoing research efforts. This launch signifies a noteworthy advancement in Louvre Abu Dhabi’s dedication to bolstering art historical research on a worldwide scale.
To facilitate this research, the museum will utilize its cutting-edge facilities, including the Resource Centre, Conservation Centre, and the Gulf region’s first Scientific Laboratory for artwork material analysis. Scholars will have access to these resources to pursue innovative research endeavors. The programme also plans to host symposiums, workshops, and publications aimed at fostering significant discourse and sharing knowledge about its vast collections, all while examining broader themes in art history and heritage science. This initiative strives to cultivate a dynamic academic community, enhancing the understanding of the cultural narratives that its artworks represent, reinforcing Louvre Abu Dhabi’s ambition to emerge as a global centre for research and scholarship.
H.E. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated, “An important element of Abu Dhabi’s transformation into a global cultural centre is its role as a hub for research and knowledge exchange. While they remain rooted in a regional context, it is vital that our cultural institutions are plugged into the global discourse, benefiting from diverse viewpoints and perspectives. This grant programme will bring talent from around the world to Abu Dhabi, helping to generate fresh insights into topics which reflect our shared humanity.”
Fellowships and Institutional Grants
As part of the inaugural Fellowships and Grants Programme, Louvre Abu Dhabi is introducing both short- and long-term fellowships, offering critical support to local and international scholars in their research projects. These fellowships come with significant financial assistance, providing AED 85,000 for short-term fellows (three months) and AED 245,000 for long-term fellows (nine months).
In 2025, the programme plans to introduce institutional grants designed to promote collaborative research efforts between Louvre Abu Dhabi and various cultural institutions, including museums, research centres, and universities. These grants will support initiatives that align with the museum’s mission of encouraging cultural exchange and dialogue.
Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, remarked, “Launching this programme is a natural extension of Louvre Abu Dhabi’s mission to be a universal museum, one that not only collects and displays the world’s artistic heritage but also actively contributes to its preservation and understanding. By providing scholars with the resources and support needed to conduct pioneering research, we are reaffirming our commitment to deepening global knowledge and fostering cross-cultural dialogue.”
Dr. Guilhem André, Director of Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management at Louvre Abu Dhabi, added, “In launching Louvre Abu Dhabi’s fellowship and grants programme, we want to collaborate with scholars and institutions worldwide, offering essential support for researchers and museum professionals. This initiative will enable them to engage deeply with Louvre Abu Dhabi’s collections and contribute meaningfully to the global discourse on art, heritage, and museum studies.”
Key Themes of the Programme
Researchers and scholars focusing on Art History, Archaeology, Museum Studies, Heritage Science, Conservation, and related fields are invited to submit proposals that align with one of the three thematic areas:
- Global History of Museums and Collections: This theme investigates the development of collections and museums globally. Using Louvre Abu Dhabi as a focal point, it examines the diverse experiences of curating, engaging audiences, and displaying art in the Arab world and beyond, spanning all five continents. Key topics include exploring the conception and articulation of the “universal museum” concept and the interlinked histories and collections of museums.
- Circulation of Styles, Images, and Texts: This area focuses on the flow of objects, artistic styles, images, and texts since the 2nd millennium. It explores the evolution and dissemination of forms, techniques, and themes, alongside the effects of cross-cultural exchanges on the spread of artworks. Projects are encouraged to challenge traditional cultural hierarchies and may cover topics like cultural transfers in art history and the notion of multiple modernities.
- Precious Materials and Routes of Exchange: This theme emphasizes the material aspects of artworks in the Louvre Abu Dhabi collection, reflecting influences from both Eastern and Western traditions and underscoring the significance of historical trade routes such as the Silk Road. Projects in this area should investigate how trade and cultural interactions have shaped the use of precious materials over time, aiming to recontextualize artworks across various eras and cultures while shedding light on evolving concepts of rarity, beauty, wealth, and value.
Application Process and Timeline
Applications for the Fellowships and Grants Programme are currently open until January 10, 2025, with selected candidates to be announced in March 2025. A committee of esteemed museum representatives and experts will supervise the selection process, meticulously reviewing all submissions, with potential interviews as part of the evaluation. Proposals must be submitted online via the museum’s website in English. For inquiries regarding the application process, interested individuals may contact research@louvreabudhabi.ae.
Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Operating Hours
- Museum: Open 10 am – 6:30 pm (Tuesday – Thursday); extended hours 10 am – 8:30 pm (Friday – Sunday); closed on Monday.
- Dome: Open 10 am – midnight (Tuesday – Sunday) – last entry 11 pm; closed on Monday.
- Museum Café: Open 10 am – 7 pm (Tuesday – Thursday); extended hours 10 am – 9 pm (Friday – Sunday); closed on Monday.
- Art Lounge: Open 3 pm – 12 am (last order 11 pm); closed on Monday and during summer.
- Fouquet’s Abu Dhabi and Marta Bar: Open 12 pm – 12 am (last orders at 10 pm) (Tuesday – Thursday, Sunday); weekends: 12 pm – 1 am (last order at 10:30 pm) (Friday – Saturday); closed on Monday.
- Aptitude Café: Open 9 am – 10 pm (daily including Monday).
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