This appointment marks a key milestone in advancing the vision of Jean Claude Gandur: the creation in Caen, near the Memorial and the Hill of Birds, of a museum designed to present his collection to the public and to become a true place of culture, sharing, and community life.

A museum director, exhibition curator, and author, Jean-Charles Vergne led the Regional Contemporary Art Fund (FRAC) Auvergne for 27 years (1996–2023). During his tenure, he oversaw major artistic and institutional growth, including building a collection of more than 1,000 works, organizing over 200 exhibitions, expanding philanthropic support, developing editorial strategies, managing multidisciplinary teams, and implementing structural initiatives to increase attendance and broaden audiences.

“Given his career—marked in particular by a constant commitment to knowledge-sharing and public engagement—and his extensive leadership experience, Jean-Charles Vergne seemed the ideal choice to lead the future museum and play a central role in fulfilling our ambition: to create a place of exchange and dialogue between cultures and generations.”
— Jean Claude Gandur, Chairman Founder of the Fondation Gandur pour l'Art

“The future museum dedicated to showcasing the exceptional collection assembled by Jean Claude Gandur is a project of extraordinary scale. I am deeply honored by the trust placed in me to lead it and very pleased to soon begin working with the Foundation’s teams and the people of Caen to help make this future museum the vibrant place of art and culture that Jean Claude Gandur has envisioned.”
— Jean-Charles Vergne, Director of the Fondation Gandur pour l'Art's Museum in Caen

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