Immerse Yourself in the World's First Floating Museum for Free

Founded in 2019 by French entrepreneur and philanthropist Frédéric Jousset, the Art Explora Foundation aims to reduce the gap between the public and the world of art through innovative, inclusive, and mobile approaches. One of its most ambitious projects is a floating museum that has captivated art lovers and communities alike: the Art Explorer boat.

The Art Explorer boat is a catamaran transformed into a travelling cultural space, offering rotating exhibitions, workshops, and interactive experiences. Unlike traditional museums, often anchored in urban centres and sometimes inaccessible to many, Art Explorer moves along the waterways, bringing art beyond the confines of major cities. Its mission is simple but profound: to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of geographical or socio-economic barriers. Importantly, visiting the boat is free, further enhancing its accessibility to all.

The boat, measuring 47 metres in length and 18 metres in width, carries a 55-metre. Equipped with exhibition spaces, the boat hosts both contemporary and historical works of art. The exhibitions often feature renowned artists as well as emerging talent, offering a rich and diverse visual experience. As it travels, the boat stops at various cities, engaging with diverse communities along the way.

As of September 2024, the Art Explorer boat is docked in Tangier, Morocco, where it will remain until the 29th of the month. Afterwards, it will sail to Rabat from October 11th to 17th.

The boat’s current programme includes an immersive exhibition, "Présentes" produced in collaboration with the Louvre, highlighting female figures in Mediterranean civilisations. Visitors can enjoy a unique experience across the boat’s various decks, from viewing films on the aft deck to exploring Mediterranean soundscapes on the upper deck. Additionally, quayside pavilions house exhibitions like "Undertow" focusing on migration and hospitality and "Under the Azure" exploring Mediterranean myths.

This travelling museum will continue its journey through the Mediterranean, bringing with it a multidisciplinary festival at each stop. The festival includes exhibitions, performances, virtual reality experiences, concerts, and lectures, providing a wide range of cultural experiences both onboard and onshore.

Art Explorer boat isn’t just a vessel for viewing art. It understands that accessibility means more than providing access to artworks—it’s about fostering engagement and dialogue. The floating museum hosts various programmes designed to involve people of all ages and backgrounds. Workshops, talks, and creative labs provide hands-on experiences where participants can explore artistic processes or create their art. These programmes are family-friendly and often developed in collaboration with local artists and educators to ensure that they are tailored to the specific communities visited.

Children are an essential audience for Art Explora, and the boat partners with local schools to offer educational tours. By welcoming schoolchildren aboard, the initiative fosters early engagement with art and culture. These interactive tours are often paired with materials that make the experience accessible and enjoyable for younger audiences.

A fundamental principle of Art Explora is the belief that art should be accessible to all, regardless of social status or location. For many, particularly those in rural or underserved areas, visiting a major museum or gallery may not be feasible. Art Explora bridges this gap by bringing world-class exhibitions to people who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience them.

This mobility challenges the idea that cultural institutions must remain static. By traversing the waterways, Art Explora not only brings art to people but also shifts perceptions about how art can be experienced, suggesting that cultural engagement should be dynamic and far-reaching.

In line with its mission of inclusivity and innovation, Art Explora places a strong emphasis on sustainability. The boat itself has been adapted to meet modern environmental standards, incorporating green technologies like solar panels. This focus on sustainability aligns with Art Explora’s commitment to minimising its ecological footprint while promoting the importance of environmental consciousness in the arts.

Moreover, Art Explora operates in conjunction with the Art Explora Academy, an online platform that offers free educational content about art and culture. This digital extension of the project ensures that even those unable to visit the boat in person can still engage with its offerings, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to making art and culture accessible to all.

Although the Art Explorer boat began its journey in France, it has quickly expanded into a pan-European and Mediterranean project. With plans to continue its travels through ports in countries like Lebanon and Algeria, the boat will engage with even more diverse communities. The accompanying festivals, unique to each port of call, highlight the intersection of local and global culture, creating a rich, multidisciplinary experience for visitors.

The programme doesn’t stop at exhibitions. Each festival will include round-table discussions, live performances, film screenings, and concerts, often in collaboration with local curators. As part of the UN’s Decade of Ocean Science, the festivals will also feature "Ocean Weekends," focusing on the climate emergency, allowing scientists, artists, and audiences to exchange ideas about sustainability.

Art Explora is a remarkable cultural initiative that reimagines how art can be shared with the public. Through its innovative floating museum, it brings art to people who may not otherwise have access, fostering an inclusive, engaging, and sustainable approach to cultural dissemination. With plans to sail to numerous ports across the Mediterranean, the Art Explorer boat is not just a gallery on water but a symbol of art’s power to unite, inspire, and educate. As it continues its journey, it is poised to leave a lasting impact on Europe and beyond, proving that art truly has no borders.