Charlotte Carrier, Head of Sponsorship and Commercial Partnerships at the Musée du Louvre

After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology at the University of Bordeaux, Charlotte Carrier enrolled at the Pau business school and completed the Rhétoriques des arts research program (M1–M2) at UPPA. This dual skill set — arts and business — opened the doors to cultural institutions such as Centquatre-Paris, the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, and later the Louvre, where she has held the position of Head of Sponsorship and Partnerships since 2020.

What were the key stages of your academic journey?

Originally from Dax, once I had obtained my baccalauréat, I enrolled in a bachelor’s degree in sociology in Bordeaux. At the end of this program, I gave myself a year to think about my future direction. I went to Australia on a Working Holiday visa to work and practice English, discover another culture, and get to know myself better… When I returned, I sat the competitive entrance exams for business schools and joined éklor-education in Pau, which offered a two-year work-study program. After a gap year, I wanted to resume my studies while also confronting the professional world. Between periods of coursework, I was a work-study student at BNP Paribas in Oloron-Sainte-Marie, where I was responsible for managing professional accounts. At the same time, I had a strong appetite for general culture. So I looked at the programs offered by UPPA — it was enough to cross the street to access the lecture halls in literature, history, and more — and I was drawn to the Rhétoriques des arts research master’s degree. The class schedules were compatible with the business school program, making it an opportunity to satisfy my curiosity for cinema, painting, music, literature, sculpture… For two years (2010–2012), I wore three hats: business school student, work-study student at BNP Paribas, and Rhétoriques des arts student at UPPA.

How did the Rhétoriques des arts program at UPPA shape your professional career?

This program was decisive and ultimately very complementary to business school. The work-study experience was extremely valuable, but I couldn’t see myself building a career in banking. When BNP Paribas offered me a permanent contract at the end of my studies, I hesitated… Everyone told me it was an opportunity not to be refused. Yet a small voice told me I needed to try something else to truly thrive. Within the bank, I had the opportunity to speak with a colleague from the BNP Paribas Foundation, which funds, among other things, cultural projects. He advised me to specialize in sponsorship and pointed me toward the main master’s degrees sought by companies (ESCP, HEC, Sciences Po, and Dauphine). Without the Rhétoriques des arts master’s at UPPA, I would probably have struggled to enter the International Cultural Affairs and Projects / Sponsorship master’s program at Sciences Po Aix. UPPA very clearly helped me find my professional path; the two programs — arts and business — proved to be perfectly complementary.

What memories do you have of those two years on the UPPA campus?

In my Rhétoriques des arts cohort, there were about ten of us in M1 and slightly fewer in M2. A small group, perfect for debating, working collectively, and getting together in the evenings to watch films. A real breath of fresh air and genuine intellectual stimulation! I felt that each class opened new doors; I discovered connections between the arts and different periods, met committed and passionate people — it was a bottomless well of discoveries! The same was true of my research thesis on hierarchy among the arts, particularly pop art, which fascinated me. After completing this dual program, I spent six months in the United States taking art history classes at MoMA in New York and confronting the works studied (and many others!).

After specializing at Sciences Po Aix, how did your professional integration unfold?

During my studies, I completed an internship at the Jean-Luc Lagardère Foundation, which awards grants to young talents in cultural and media professions. I worked on promoting the grants and selecting applications, and I confirmed my desire to pursue my career in this field. I then joined the agency Hopening, which supports and advises public-interest organizations, particularly NGOs, for whom it designs fundraising strategies. During this professional experience, I also had the opportunity to further my training in Fundraising at ESSEC. After four years, I wanted to join a cultural institution; I first worked for six months at Centquatre-Paris, then shortly after at the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac as a sponsorship officer, before joining the Louvre Museum in 2020 as Head of Sponsorship and Commercial Partnerships.

Two or three words you spontaneously associate with UPPA?

Friendliness — campus life naturally creates connections, and I quickly felt integrated. Intellectual stimulation, provided by the lecturers, the courses, and exchanges between students. Collective dynamism — there is always something happening at the university: debates, conferences, meetings — it’s up to everyone to make the most of it.

Any advice for students at the beginning of their journey?

I would advise them to seize opportunities and follow their passions. One of the strengths of the university is the ability to build your own path and add building blocks to become more professional. The cultural sector is very specific; you really need to train and gradually refine a specialization: mediation, sponsorship, cultural diplomacy, programming, museography… and keep in mind that a degree is not an end in itself, but a springboard. Finally, for a career in the cultural sector, curiosity seems essential, and being a true culture enthusiast is a decisive asset for embarking on this path!

Interview conducted by Florence Elman

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Master’s Degree in Arts, Literature and Civilizations