American Friends of the Louvre was founded in December 2002 to strengthen ties between the Louvre and its American public. Its office in New York opened in 2004. Its primary goals are the following: To support the Louvre in its efforts to improve educational tools and visiting conditions, particularly for American and other English-speaking visitor, to promote collaborations between the Louvre and American institutions through the development of cultural activities in the U.S., such as exhibitions, educational programs and professional and scholarly exchanges, and to participate in the financing of Louvre projects, such as renovations of galleries, restorations, fellowships, and educational programs both in France and the U.S.