The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) has appointed Dr. Souraya Noujaim as Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, as the museum prepares to mark its 10th anniversary in 2027.

Noujaim, an art historian and curator specialising in Islamic art history and archaeology, brings extensive experience from leading international cultural institutions.

She most recently served as Director of the Department of Islamic Arts at the Musée du Louvre in Paris and Chief of the French Grand Department of Islamic Art Heritage, overseeing a collection of 18,000 Islamic artworks.

Her career has included senior curatorial and leadership positions at major museums and cultural institutions, as well as involvement in international exhibitions, research initiatives and collection-building projects examining the connections and exchanges that have shaped global art histories.

Noujaim has also played a significant role in the development of Louvre Abu Dhabi. She was closely involved with the project for more than a decade, contributing to its formative intellectual and curatorial vision.

From February 2018 until April 2023, she served as the museum’s first Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management Director.

In that position, she oversaw curatorial, scientific and collections activities, supporting the development of the museum’s permanent collection through strategic acquisitions and helping shape the universal narrative that defines Louvre Abu Dhabi.

She also contributed to initiatives such as Art Here, which positioned the museum as a platform for scholarship, artistic experimentation and contemporary creative expression.

Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and President of Louvre Abu Dhabi, said: “As the first universal museum in the Arab world, Louvre Abu Dhabi is a powerful reflection of our belief in culture as a bridge between people, ideas and societies. Since 2017, it has contributed greatly to the emirate’s status as a global cultural capital. Dr. Noujaim has been part of the museum’s journey from its earliest stages, helping shape its collection, scholarly foundations and distinctive universal narrative. We are confident that Dr. Noujaim’s international expertise and deep understanding of what makes Louvre Abu Dhabi unique will contribute to the museum’s role as a leading cultural institution in the region and on the global stage.”

As Director, Noujaim will oversee the museum’s overall strategic and institutional direction, including collection development, exhibitions, research, conservation, education, public engagement, visitor experience and institutional growth.

She will also support Louvre Abu Dhabi’s continued development as the first universal museum in the Arab world and strengthen its role as a platform for cultural dialogue, scholarship and international exchange.

Noujaim said: “Louvre Abu Dhabi holds a special place in my professional and personal journey. Having had the privilege of contributing to the museum’s development over many years, I am honoured to return to Abu Dhabi and lead this remarkable institution into its next chapter. The museum has established itself as a place where cultures meet and where stories from across the world are presented through shared human experiences. I look forward to working with our teams, partners and communities to build on this legacy, deepen our engagement with audiences, expand and enrich our collection, and explore new ways of making art and culture accessible, relevant and inspiring for all.”

Since opening in 2017, Louvre Abu Dhabi has welcomed more than eight million visitors and presented 22 temporary exhibitions, five editions of Art Here and six exhibitions at its Children’s Museum.

It has also developed a wide-ranging programme of educational and cultural activities while expanding its role in research, conservation and scholarship through its Resource Centre, Scientific Laboratory, Conservation Centre and international Fellowships and Grants Programme.

The museum’s permanent collection has also grown significantly over the past nine years. At its opening, around 30% of the artworks on display came from Louvre Abu Dhabi’s own collection, while approximately 70% were on loan from French museums and regional lenders.

Although the number of works displayed has remained broadly consistent, the composition of the galleries has evolved considerably.

Nearly two-thirds of the works presented across the museum’s four chronological worlds are now owned by Louvre Abu Dhabi, reflecting the growth of its collection and its development as an established cultural institution.

As Louvre Abu Dhabi enters its second decade, Noujaim will lead the museum in advancing its founding vision, rooted in Abu Dhabi, while expanding its contribution to knowledge, creativity and cross-cultural understanding. -TradeArabia News Service