In Lyon, the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region takes over the reins of the Museum of Fabrics

After three years under threat of a definitive closure, for lack of money, Museum of Fabrics and decorative arts of Lyon (MTMAD) is now out of danger. Emmanuel Imberton, President of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of Lyon Métropole, owner and historical manager of site, announced it, Monday, October 9. "I decided to choose only solution that I think is possible, both ambitious and realistic." The collections will be kept in ir precious caskets which are two mansions that house m. The ICC will yield for a symbolic euro se hotels, classified historical monuments in heart of Lyon (which house collections). The region and state (20% of work) will ensure investment to restore and modernize buildings. With 2.5 million pieces, oldest of which date from four thousand and five hundred years, museum has one of most important universal collections of textiles.

Read report: In Lyon, fabric museum is torn apart

In May, Laurent Wauquiez, president of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, had ensured that he would put EUR 10 million for necessary renovation of buildings, or one third of total invoice. On Monday, 9 October, announcing "a plan of revival and non-rescue, with a museum transformed, modernised, digitised", it confirmed its decision, stating that it would be abounded by state, at height of EUR 5 million, and by Unitex, Association of Textile industries, for a million. The remaining 14 million to be found with private funds and participatory patronage.

Read Focus: Operation patching at Lyon Fabric Museum

By declaring that region maintained in situ collections, and that it would provide operating budget for 1.3 million, with assistance of State (300 000 euros per year over three years), and that of CCI (500 000 euros), Mr Wauquiez took him to project Scientist carried by mayor of Lyon, Georges Képénékian, and David Kimelfeld, president of Lyon Métropole. A project in future, announced late on Friday, October 6, which needed to be clarified and debated to be heard. Lyon Métropole was considering a kind of mutualisation of local forces with Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, led by Sylvie Ramond, and Museum of Confluence, led by Hélène-Couturier. A project that two directors imagined in image of Victoria and Albert Museum, Great Museum of Decorative Arts in London.

"New Silk Roads"

The two officials worked in shadows on this project since 2015, at request of Gérard Collomb, n Senator of Rhone, mayor of Lyon and president of metropolis. The maintenance of collections of decorative arts, enriched by objects, sculptures, decorations of Museum of Fine Arts, Gadagne Museum and civil Hospices, with an opening to design and contemporary creation, in Hôtel de Lacroix-Laval Refurbished. Large textile exhibitions would be presented at Confluences. As for fabric reserves, se had to be repackaged in an adequate building of 2 000 m2, open to both researchers and public. For Hotel de Villeroy, whose town hall wanted to separate, an alternative solution was advanced by two directors. It was to make it a space of presentation of silk, historical and prestigious activity in coherence with textile companies of region.

Read story: The Fabric Museum shakes red Rag

The history of MTMAD, founded in 1864 by silky, resonates in international news. Lyon was chosen as final stage, most westerly of "New Silk Roads" launched in 2013 by China. "Lyon is very involved." A freight train already connects China to Lyon, and 50 Chinese companies are settling in metropolis. Our legitimacy exists, says Georges Képénékian, who believes that region has "not laid groundwork for a real scientific project" that city needs.