Honouring Passionate Leaders: The Honours 2024 at the Monaco Yacht Show!

A Closer Look at Frédéric Jousset – Laureate of The Honours 2024

On the eve of the Monaco Yacht Show 2024, the second annual edition of The Honours recognized three exceptional individuals for their significant contributions within and beyond the superyachting community. Among this year’s prestigious Bowsprit award recipients is Frédéric Jousset, an art philanthropist and creator of the first boat museum.

Driven by a passion for sailing and the arts, Jousset aims to democratize the art world through ArtExplorer, a superyacht that transforms cultural access, one destination at a time. His journey began as a five-year-old sailing in Saint Malo, Brittany, and continued with a lifelong engagement with the arts, fueled by his mother’s role as Chief Curator at the Centre Pompidou.

An epiphany while descending Everest inspired him to launch Art Explora, a foundation dedicated to making art accessible to all. Jousset realized that while many donate to enrich museum collections, the real issue lies in audience diversity. His mission is to expand art’s reach to those lacking opportunities in their childhoods.

The vision for a boat to achieve this goal came while sailing the Strait of Sicily. After five years of development, he created ArtExplorer, a 47.5-meter catamaran designed to welcome thousands of visitors daily and promote environmental sustainability.

At the Monaco Yacht Show last year, Jousset stepped aboard the boat that began as a mere idea. “I had tears in my eyes,” he recalls, recalling the memorable moment when the chairwoman of the Louvre christened the yacht in Marseille.

Jousset’s formative years included significant time on the water, competing in university sailing and later with sailing legends. He describes himself as an “adrenaline junkie,” engaging in racing, scuba diving, and mountain climbing for that thrill.

ArtExplorer offers an immersive experience, combining art, virtual reality, and live performances at each destination. With a two-and-a-half-year voyage planned around the Mediterranean, Jousset aims to reach communities that may never have accessed art before.

Frédéric Jousset is a standout recipient of the Bowsprit award at The Honours, organized by The Superyacht Life Foundation and the Monaco Yacht Show, celebrating individuals driving positive change in the superyacht industry.