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Institut du Monde Arabe
The Institut du Monde Arabe (l’IMA) is an organization founded in Paris in 1980 by 19 Arab countries (Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and both Yemens) and France. The Institute was established as a result of a perceived lack of representation for the Arab world in France, and seeks to provide a secular location for the promotion of Arab civilization, art, knowledge, and aesthetics. Housed within the institution are a museum, library, auditorium, restaurant, offices and meeting rooms.

History
The Institut du Monde Arabe was in part a product France’s increased interest in the Arab World. This concern was a result of several factors, a new postcolonial outlook, the energy crisis, and the increased acceptance of the Franco-Arab diaspora.

Architecture
The Institut du Monde Arabe was a part of French President Francois Mitterand's "Grand Projets" a series of nine architectural projects which debuted in France in 1989. Jean Nouvel, Pierre Soria and Gilbert Lezénés, with the Architecture Studio, completed the building in 1987. the current location was personally selected by then Minister of Culture Jack Lang. Nouvel designed the building with two principle wings, the northern wing and the southern wing, which is composed of 113 photosensitive panels that open and close to control the interior light. Nouvel’s panels are inspired by traditional motifs found in mosaics.

This project is a result of funds from both the League of Arab States and the French government, with the cost of the building totaling around €230,000,000.[1]

Aga Khan Award
Recipient of the 1989 Aga Khan Award for Architectural Excellence. Jury members included, historian Oleg Grabar.

Museum
Within the museum are objects from the Arab world ranging from before Islam through into the twentieth century. One of the main initiatives within the museum is the inclusion of special exhibitions.

Special Exhibitions

 * 2016
 * Osiris: The Submerged Mysteries of Egypt
 * Voices of animals: the fables of Kalila and Dimna
 * Nomadic Sculpture by Rodolphe Hammadi
 * First biennial of contemporary arab photography
 * CoeXist