The Need to Rethink the Exhibitions in African Museums

Workshop Duration
2 days, October 30-31, 2024

Venue
Eko Hotel
1415 Adetokunbo Ademola Street
Victoria Island, Lagos

 

About the Workshop

“Rethinking Exhibitions in African Museums” workshop addresses the lingering colonial influences in museum collections, design, display, and engagement strategies across Africa. With a rise in new museum initiatives and growing global interest in African collections, the workshop seeks to explore ways to make museums more culturally relevant and appealing. Key discussion points include creating exhibitions that reflect indigenous African cultural perspectives, developing ethical and sustainable collections management systems using innovative digital technologies, and redesigning museum spaces to be inclusive and welcoming. The goal is to foster museums that truly represent and serve African communities.

  • The agenda for the workshop includes:

    Exploring strategies for museum practitioners to create prototypes for exhibitions that incorporates indigenous African cultural perspectives.

    Developing strategies to use innovative digital technologies to create user-friendly collections management systems tailored to Africa’s unique needs and contexts, addressing the environmental, social, and ethical implications of caring for and circulating culturally significant objects.

    Developing ideas that reimagine African museum spaces to reflect traditional communal spaces.

 

Programme

Day 002
October 31, 2024

 

9.30am – 1:15pm
Workshop Session 3:  Creating Ethical, Sustainable Collections Management Models in African Museums through Innovative Technologies

Moderation
Iheanyi Onwuegbucha

Objectives

  • To explore the effective use of technology in African museums in enhancing visitor experiences and connecting with diverse audiences and

  • To explore strategies to design purpose-built ethical collections management and circulation systems that suit the needs and peculiarity of Africa, including methods that ensure accessibility and trackability for pan-African exhibitions.

Speakers:

  1. Pr. Barbara Plankensteiner, Digital Benin.

  2. Peter Nsanze, Strategic Design Consultant, Spective Design.

  3. Kola Olarewaju, Chief Executive, Komotion Studios.

  4. Nadine Siegert, Director, Goethe Institut.

 

Discussion – Conclusion: 1 hour

1:15pm – 2:00pm

Lunch Break (45 Minutes)

2:00pm – 4:00pm
Workshop Session 2:  Strategies for Enhancing Audience Engagement and Hands-on Co-Creation Experiences with Local African Communities

Introduction & Moderation
Iheanyi Onwuegbucha

Objectives

  • To brainstorm ideas on how existing and new engagement and co-creation strategies can enhance the impact of museum experiences in both new and existing exhibitions while integrate indigenous African Practices

Speakers (15 minutes each):

  1. Dr Kenechukwu Daniel, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

  2. Ana María Durán Calisto, Yale University.

  3. Goabaone Montsho, Chairperson International Council of Museums Botswana.

  4. Aindrea Emelife, Curator, MOWAA.

  5. Dr Jess Castellote, Curator, Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art.

  6. Samba Yonga, Museum of Women’s History, Zambia.

 

Discussion

Reflections

Moderation
Iheanyi Onwuegbucha

  • Reflections on the Workshop 

  • Thoughts of What is Actionable from Discussions

  • Ideas for Next Steps

 

4:00pm

Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Seun Oduwole

 

7:00pm

Dinner – Nok by Alara

 

Previous

Day 001
October 30, 2024

View Programme