The Role Museums Play in the Art Industry
The Role Museums Play in the Art Industry
platform for artists, culture custodians, education resource, economic drivers
What is a Museum?
A building that stores and exhibits objects of significant history, science, artistic and cultural interests.
Museums are non-profit, permanent institutions in the service of society and its development. They help to promote the arts to the public. This public access is made possible through exhibitions, educational programs, and other events organised by museums to help introduce people to art and culture. This certainly plays a role in increasing public appreciation for the arts and creating a larger audience for art.
Museums act as custodians, helping to legitimise the art market. By collecting, exhibiting, and interpreting artworks, museums play a role in determining which artists and artworks are considered to be important and valuable. This can help to boost the prices of artworks and make it easier for artists to sell their work.
Through research and scholarship programs, Museums play a supporting role in the industry. Beyond exhibitions and the necessary resources to hold those, Museums employ curators, conservators, and other scholars who conduct research on artworks and art history. This research helps to improve our understanding of art and its history, and it can also lead to new discoveries about artworks.
Your personal invite to the official opening of the Iwalewa Gallery of Art on September 29th, 2023. Door opens from 4pm at 29A Chris Madueke Drive, Lekki Phase 1.
Why Museums Matter
1. Platform for Artists
Museums provide a platform for artists to reach a wider audience and showcase their work. This is especially important for emerging artists who may not have the connections or resources to exhibit their work in commercial galleries. Museums also provide artists with the opportunity to exhibit their work in a professional setting, which can help them to gain recognition and build their careers. These efforts support the livelihood of artists and the creation of new art.
2. Preserving Cultural Heritage
Museums play a vital role in preserving cultural heritage. They collect, conserve, and research artworks from all over the world and from all periods of history. Museums also make these artworks accessible to the public through exhibitions, educational programs, and publications. By preserving cultural heritage, museums help to educate the public about the arts and to promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
3. Educational Resource
Museums are an important educational resource for the public. They offer a variety of educational programs for all ages, from school tours to lectures and workshops. Museums also provide visitors with the opportunity to learn about art and culture firsthand by experiencing the works of art in person.
4. Economic Driver
Museums are also a driver of economic activity. They attract tourists and generate revenue for local businesses. Museums also create jobs and support the local arts community. In addition to these generic economic benefits, museums also play a number of specific roles in the art industry. For example, museums often commission new works of art from artists. They also provide financial support to artists through grants and fellowships.
Another way museums drive economic opportunities is by purchasing and selling artworks.
5 Contextualised and Notable Museum Contributions in the Industry
The Western and Middle Power View
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has commissioned new works of art from artists such as Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and Kara Walker.
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City provides financial support to artists through the MoMA Artists Council, which awards grants and fellowships to emerging and established artists.
The Tate Modern in London has a dedicated space for displaying contemporary art and often hosts exhibitions of work by emerging artists.
The Louvre Museum in Paris has a large collection of artworks from all over the world and from all periods of history, which it makes accessible to the public through exhibitions, educational programs, and publications.
Museum of the Future in Dubai promotes technological development and innovation, especially in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). The museum is designed to be a living museum, incorporating elements of traditional exhibitions, immersive theatre and themed attractions, so visitors can look beyond the present and towards the future's limitless
The African Story
The National Museum of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is arguably the most important museum in Africa. It is home to a vast collection of artefacts from Ethiopia’s rich and diverse history, preserving and protecting Ethiopia's cultural heritage. For example, it houses “Lucy”, a 3.2 million-year-old hominin that is considered to be one of the most important human fossils ever discovered.
Museum of Black Civilisations, Dakar, Senegal—opened in 2018— is dedicated to the history and culture of black people all over the world, housing artefacts from all over Africa, Americas, the Carribbeans, and Europe. It raises awareness of black people’s contribution to civilisation all over the world, as well as promoting black art and culture.
Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, is the largest museum of modern and contemporary African art in the world. Formerly a grain silo building, it was converted into a unique and innovative art space for the purpose of promoting African artists to a wider audience. The museum's collection is used to create exhibitions, lectures, and educational programs that help people learn about the latest trends in African art.
The National Museum Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the most important museums in Nigeria. The museum’s collection is home to archaeological finds, traditional artefacts, and works of art from all over the country, telling the country’s rich and diverse history.
Benin City National Museum Benin City, Nigeria, is home to a world-renowned collection of Benin bronzes, as well as other artefacts from the Benin Kingdom.
In summary, Museums play a vital role in the art industry by providing a platform that supports artists, preserving cultural heritage as authorised custodians, serving as an educational resource, and driving economic activity. Museums are essential to the health and vitality of the art world.
On my bucket list is to visit the Museum of Black Civilisations, Dakar and the Museum of the Future, Dubai. Are there any Museums on your bucket list that you would like to visit? Let me know in the comments section below.
