By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE management of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), Benin City said contrary to belief in some quarters, the museum is both for the storage of artworks and the development of careers for cultural professionals, curators, artists, among others.

Besides, the management of MOWAA said when fully in operation, the facility would act as a catalyst for deepening connections between contemporary arts and culture and the rich cultural heritage of West Africa, and a centre of excellence creating opportunities for African and Diaspora artists and scholars.

The Executive Director, MOWAA, Phillip Ihenacho, disclosed this during an event titled Museum in the Making held in Benin City.

According to him “The Archaeological and Materials Science Lab will expand scholarships affording access to advanced technologies to enable scientific processing, digital mapping and interpretation in efforts to deepen knowledge of Africa’s civilizations and their material heritage.”

According to him, MOWAA is dedicated to the preservation of heritage, the expansion of knowledge and celebration of West African arts and culture, adding that the organisation owns an institute that provides “exceptional infrastructure and programmes for the preservation, display, research, learning and exchange in arts and culture from a world-class campus in the heart of the historic district of Benin City, Nigeria.”

He continued: “The MOWAA Institute will support museums and cultural organisations in West Africa as a site for ongoing research and a hub for training in archaeology, conservation, heritage management and museum practice.

“The MOWAA Institute is housed in a 4,000 square foot building with collections and archives facilities, material and conservation labs, exhibition space and seminar and lecture rooms, and will be the engine room for the campus’s many programs in research, education, and public outreach.”

Throwing more light on the MOWAA Institute and the facilities therein, Director of the organisation, Ore Disu disclosed that “collections facility within the Institute will provide expansive, state-of-the-art storage facilities with public display and research space.”

She added: “These facilities will enable collaboration with institutions and collectors across the continent in support of their restitution, preservation, and research initiatives.

Disu said MOWA currently focuses on delivering four key projects which he said incliude Digital Lab, Archeology, Outreach and Contemporary and Modern Art.

She continued: “Given the historic location in history-rich Benin City, archaeological research, as well as heritage restoration and management will be a key focus at MOWAA. Material heritage offers a rich means to rediscover West Africa’s histories and understand today’s trajectories.”

“MOWAA programmes will connect to a global audience of Nigerians and other black and African communities through dialogue and education. Working closely with local and international partners,” she added.