History

FRAME was founded in 1999 by Elizabeth Rohatyn, Co-President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The Founding Co-President of FRAME was the late Francoise Cachin (1936-2011), Director of the Musées de France at that time. Mrs. Rohatyn developed this innovative organization while her husband, Felix G. Rohatyn served as Ambassador of the United States of America to France (1997-2000), appointed by President Clinton. Mrs. Rohatyn engaged Richard R. Brettell to serve as Founding Director (1999-2009).

Currently, FRAME in France is represented by Co-President and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Marie-Christine Labourdette, Director, Service of the Musées de France. The organization is led by two directors, Dr. Charlotte N. Eyerman, Director, FRAME, North America and Mr. Pierre Provoyeur, Director, FRAME, France and Deputy Director Emeritus of Museum Policy for the Service of the Musées de France.

The organization began with 18 member museums and has grown over the years to include a broader array of museums and regions in France and North America. It is the only consortium of its kind and FRAME’s commitment to cultural diplomacy in the context of museum exchanges reflects its origins in the U.S. Embassy in Paris and Mrs. Rohatyn’s vision.

FRAME, a non-profit organization, is supported by the generosity of individuals, foundations, corporations, public subsidies, as well as by its member museums in France and North America.

Founder’s Message

  • Since I founded FRAME in 1999, the organization has continued to grow and flourish, bringing together museum professionals in France and North America to promote international collaboration and understanding. FRAME, the only organization of its kind, started with 18 museums and has now grown to a consortium of 26, including one in Canada. Together the FRAME museums represent a “collective collection” of over 2,000,000 works of art from every culture and time period.

    FRAME’s origins were in the U.S. Embassy in Paris, where my husband, Felix G. Rohatyn served as Ambassador of the United States to France, 1997-2000. In my role as “Madame l’Ambassadrice,” I traveled throughout France and visited many wonderful cities. While my husband conducted his diplomatic business, I had the great privilege of visiting magnificent museums in the French provinces.  The idea for FRAME resulted from my discovery of French regional museums, as their wonderful collections were a revelation. Just as many outstanding collections are located outside Paris, the United States boasts comparable great museums across its many diverse regions.  In my role as a cultural ambassador under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Paris, the idea of a French and American consortium was sparked. 

    Since its founding, FRAME has promoted “cultural diplomacy” in presenting world-class exhibitions, collection exchanges, innovative educational and public programs, and facilitating professional exchange among museum professionals.  We continue to be inspired by the collective efforts of all involved in FRAME and I am proud of the spirit of collaboration that informs all FRAME initiatives, past, present and future.

    Elizabeth Rohatyn
    Founder, Co-President and Chair, Board of Trustees