Aims
001.
Research and Develop Strategies to Promote Cultural Sensitivity in the Context of African-Focused Exhibition Designs.
The Living Object Foundation aims to reimagine African museum exhibition designs by prioritizing cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.
Museums across Africa and those with African collections often rely on Western museological frameworks that marginalize or homogenize the diverse cultural experiences of African communities. As a result, exhibitions frequently fail to resonate with local audiences or accurately represent the complex histories and values of the continent. Our research focuses on exploring indigenous knowledge systems and exhibition practices that are rooted in local cultural traditions.
By engaging with cultural practitioners, curators, and community leaders, we aim to develop strategies that ensure African-focused exhibitions are not only representative but also respectful of the communities they depict. These strategies will serve as a blueprint for museum professionals seeking to implement culturally sensitive and contextually relevant exhibitions, fostering deeper connections between African museums and their diverse publics. The goal is to create exhibition spaces that serve as platforms for dialogue and understanding, honoring the cultural specificities of each community while promoting a pan-African perspective.
002.
Develop innovative strategies for hands-on co-creation experiences within local African communities.
The Living Object Foundation recognizes that for museums to be truly inclusive and impactful, they must actively involve local communities in their exhibition design and programming.
Co-creation involves working collaboratively with community members, artists, cultural practitioners, and stakeholders to develop museum content that reflects shared values and experiences. This approach shifts the focus from the museum as an authoritative institution to a participatory space where the public becomes an active contributor to the creation and interpretation of its cultural heritage.
Our objective is to design hands-on co-creation strategies that incorporate community engagement at every stage of exhibition planning and implementation. By fostering workshops and dialogues with diverse community groups, we aim to explore ways in which indigenous practices, oral histories, and local perspectives can be integrated into exhibitions. These strategies will provide a sustainable model for museums seeking to become community-centric spaces, where the content is continuously evolving and deeply reflective of the people it serves.
003.
Address the impact of colonial legacies on museum practices in Africa.
Colonial legacies continue to influence the narratives, structures, and collections management practices of museums across Africa.
Many institutions were established during colonial rule and have since struggled to redefine their roles in postcolonial societies. Living Objects Foundation is committed to addressing these entrenched legacies by facilitating research and workshops that critically examine how colonial frameworks still shape museum practices. This involves exploring topics such as the restitution of looted artifacts, recontextualizing colonial narratives, and redefining curatorial practices that perpetuate power imbalances.
Our aim is to develop strategies that enable African museums to transition into truly postcolonial spaces—where indigenous voices, histories, and practices are central to their identity. Through collaborative research and knowledge exchange with scholars, curators, and communities, we seek to create actionable guidelines for museums to decolonize their collections, exhibitions, and programming. This approach not only addresses historical injustices but also repositions museums as institutions of social justice and cultural healing.
004.
Develop ideas to enhance audience engagement in African museums through innovative technologies.
Technological innovation has the potential to transform the way African museums engage with their audiences.
However, the use of digital tools such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in African museums is still limited, primarily due to infrastructural challenges and a lack of tailored strategies for the African context. Living Objects Foundation aims to explore how these technologies can be adapted to create more immersive, interactive, and culturally relevant museum experiences. Our research focuses on developing practical applications that incorporate local narratives, languages, and visual styles into digital experiences.
By working closely with technologists, designers, and local communities, we seek to create technological solutions that address the unique engagement challenges faced by African museums. These solutions will be designed to bridge the digital divide while ensuring that technological content is accessible and meaningful for a wide range of audiences. The ultimate goal is to leverage technology to foster deeper connections, making African museums vibrant spaces of learning and cultural exchange.
005.
Research and Develop Strategies for Ethical, Sustainable, and Decolonized Collections Management Models Relevant to African Heritage.
Collections management in African museums faces unique ethical and sustainability challenges, particularly as the continent grapples with issues of repatriation, documentation, and conservation.
As more artifacts are returned to Africa, it is crucial to establish collections management systems that are not only transparent and ethical but also rooted in the values and needs of local communities. Living Objects Foundation seeks to research and develop strategies that reimagine collections management from an African perspective.
This involves creating frameworks for the ethical stewardship of culturally significant objects, ensuring they are cared for in ways that align with indigenous practices and local environmental conditions.
Additionally, we aim to explore sustainable models that promote the circulation of collections across pan-African exhibitions while respecting the ownership and custodianship rights of source communities. Our work will result in guidelines and toolkits for museums seeking to implement decolonized collections management practices that are responsive to the specificities of the African heritage landscape.