IFAN Museum of African Arts
Encyclopedia
The Musée de l'Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire or IFAN Museum of African Arts in Dakar
, Senegal
is one of the oldest art museums in West Africa
. It was promoted by Léopold Senghor, the country's first President. In December 2007, its official title was changed to The Théodore Monod African Art Museum ("Musée Théodore Monod d'Art africain"), after the French naturalist Théodore André Monod, former director of IFAN. Previously its official name had been "Le Musée d'Art africain de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire Cheikh Anta Diop IFAN/CAD".
The museum is part of the Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire
(IFAN) institute, founded 1936 under the Popular Front
government in France. When IFAN was transferred to Cheikh Anta Diop University
in 1960, the building at Place Soweto near the National Assembly of Senegal
was converted into a museum. It is today one of the most prestigious centers for the study of African culture and part of the Cheikh Anta Diop University
. As the main cultural research center of the colonies of French West Africa
, it contains important collections from across Francophone Africa.
The museum is one of the regular locations used in the Dakar Biennale
exhibition, showing art by contemporary African and diaspora artists.
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
is one of the oldest art museums in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
. It was promoted by Léopold Senghor, the country's first President. In December 2007, its official title was changed to The Théodore Monod African Art Museum ("Musée Théodore Monod d'Art africain"), after the French naturalist Théodore André Monod, former director of IFAN. Previously its official name had been "Le Musée d'Art africain de l'Institut fondamental d'Afrique noire Cheikh Anta Diop IFAN/CAD".
The museum is part of the Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire
Institut Fondamental d'Afrique Noire
IFAN is a cultural and scientific institute in the nations of the former French West Africa...
(IFAN) institute, founded 1936 under the Popular Front
Popular Front (France)
The Popular Front was an alliance of left-wing movements, including the French Communist Party , the French Section of the Workers' International and the Radical and Socialist Party, during the interwar period...
government in France. When IFAN was transferred to Cheikh Anta Diop University
Cheikh Anta Diop University
Cheikh Anta Diop University , also known as the University of Dakar, is a university in Dakar, Senegal. It is named after the Senegalese historian and anthropologist Cheikh Anta Diop and has an enrollment of over 60,000.-History:...
in 1960, the building at Place Soweto near the National Assembly of Senegal
National Assembly of Senegal
The National Assembly of Senegal is the lower house of Senegal's parliament.-The current National Assembly:The current National Assembly, formed following elections held on 29 April 2001, has a total of 150 elected members who serve five-year terms. The electoral system is a mixed member...
was converted into a museum. It is today one of the most prestigious centers for the study of African culture and part of the Cheikh Anta Diop University
Cheikh Anta Diop University
Cheikh Anta Diop University , also known as the University of Dakar, is a university in Dakar, Senegal. It is named after the Senegalese historian and anthropologist Cheikh Anta Diop and has an enrollment of over 60,000.-History:...
. As the main cultural research center of the colonies of French West Africa
French West Africa
French West Africa was a federation of eight French colonial territories in Africa: Mauritania, Senegal, French Sudan , French Guinea , Côte d'Ivoire , Upper Volta , Dahomey and Niger...
, it contains important collections from across Francophone Africa.
The museum is one of the regular locations used in the Dakar Biennale
Dakar Biennale
The Dakar Biennale, or Dak'Art - Biennale de l'Art Africain Contemporain, is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Dakar, Senegal...
exhibition, showing art by contemporary African and diaspora artists.