2024 General Assembly Preview: About the Young Friends Network in Luxembourg

In 2017, Joana and Mélanie became part of the executive team at the Luxembourg Friends of Museums (Amis des Musées du Luxembourg) and co-founded the Young Friends of Museums section.

The “Amis des Musées” regularly organise guided tours across the six partner museums: 

• Casino Luxembourg - Forum d'art contemporain 

• Lëtzebuerg City Museum 

• Mudam 

• Musée Dräi Eechelen 

• Nationalmusée um Fëschmaart 

• Villa Vauban 

These events extend beyond museum walls to encompass cultural institutions, art centres, artist studios, galleries, and more. Members are invited to openings, partake in complimentary guided tours, engage in lectures, and enjoy exclusive meetings with artists, curators, and fellow art and history enthusiasts. Additionally, they have access to art trips all around the world.

While the program caters to all members, Joana and Mélanie observed that young professionals struggled to participate due to their work commitments. To make the organisation more appealing to a younger audience, they created the Young Friends of Museums section and introduced a new activity format known as the “Arty Hours.” During these afterwork events, members aged 18 to 35 meet for guided tours of art exhibitions followed by socializing over drinks. 

The Young Friends have also organised weekend excursions to cities like Paris and Brussels, enabling members to explore exhibitions and art fairs.

Currently, the Young Friends of Museums have 73 members and have lined one to two activities each month for the 2023/24 season. 

Joana currently works as a digital and communication manager for the brand image promotion initiative at Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. 

Before joining the nation branding team, she used to be a lawyer in corporate litigation. 

Mélanie currently holds the position of head of liaison overseeing VIP and Programme management for Luxembourg Art Week, the international contemporary art fair in Luxembourg. She used to be project coordinator for over 50 community lead projects in the Esch2022, European Capital of Culture, programme. She has contributed to several exhibitions organised by Lët’z Arles, which is a cultural organisation that each year supports and promotes Luxembourg artists at the Rencontres d’Arles photography festival.