MOWAA holds Museum in the Making: a preview of the MOWAA Institute

Nestled in the center of Benin City, the Institute is an intellectual and cultural monument for the region, putting MOWAA at the forefront of current African museum practice.

Museum in the Making: A Space for Critical Conversations and Reflection

The two-day event was aimed at sparking critical conversations about the future of museum practice in West Africa. Guests engaged with prominent thought leaders such as Prof. Chika Okeke-Agulu, Robert Schirmer (Professors of Art & Archaeology and African American Studies at Princeton University respectively), and Prof. Shadreck Chirikure (Edward Hall Professor of Archaeological Science and Director of the Research Laboratory for Archaeology and the History of Art at Oxford University), as well as other distinguished intellectuals and cultural practitioners. The discussions focused on themes such as:

– Defining a “West African” museum in the twenty-first century.
– The changing role of arts organizations in urban transformation and sustainable development.
– How archeological technologies might challenge misconceptions about Africa’s past.
– The significance of African leadership in cultural preservation and the ethics of restitution.

Aside from formal discussions, participants were treated to guided tours of the MOWAA Campus and Institute, participatory workshops on traditional pottery and rammed earth building, and enthralling performances by local and international artists. Visitors were also able to share their ideas about the role of museums in African contexts, confirming MOWAA’s philosophy of being a responsive, dynamic institution.

The two-day event brought together MOWAA’s current donors and partners, which included the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), the German Foreign Office, US-based Mellon Foundation, and other corporate leaders, international artists, and local cultural practitioners. It was an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of people who have played critical roles in bringing MOWAA’s vision to life, as well as to offer an invitation to potential supporters who share MOWAA’s passion for reinventing African art and history.

The MOWAA Institute

The single-story MOWAA Institute building provides approximately 4,000 square meters (43,000 square feet) of highly sustainable interior space for state-of-the-art facilities for archaeological research, conservation, and public programs. The building features an atrium exhibition gallery with views into the collection study area, a 100-seat auditorium, conference rooms, conservation laboratories, a library, and an outdoor amphitheater. Set within the ancient moats of the Benin Kingdom, the rammed-earth construction links the building to the West African heritage that will be honored by MOWAA throughout the Campus. The building also serves as a model for the care and preservation of the many other mud-wall structures in Benin City and meets global standards of sustainability. The MOWAA Institute building is designed by Adjaye Associates, with the Lagos-based firm of MOE+ responsible for construction supervision.

MOWAA’s Future Programmes

With a key focus on research and education, MOWAA has the goal of empowering future generations of cultural stewards by developing African leadership in heritage studies and practices.

Community engagement initiatives have been ongoing over the past two years in support of this goal with programs in field archaeology—conducted in partnership with NCMM, the British Museum and the University of Cambridge— that were joined by activities such as “Discovery Days” for the public, with simulated digs and creative workshops.  Going forward, there will be residency programs for artists and curators, student fellowships; and more. There will also be programs to foster wider learning and public engagement that will be cultivated under the Institute’s Materials Research and Center for Field Archaeology. 

Speaking to audiences at the preview, Ore Disu, MOWAA Institute’s Director, said: “When I took up my role at MOWAA, it was with a strong sense that we should create something that gives Black and African people a sense of their place in the world and platforms to articulate what happens next. Without robust records and monuments, it can be difficult to visualise what Africa societies built, invented and achieved. No Akan, Yoruba or Edo person should ever doubt the sophistication of their ancestors.”

Also at the event, the Director-General, NCMM, Olugbile Holloway said “The world is watching, and what we do here serves as a model for what we are capable of as Nigerians and Africans alike. I want everyone to know that NCMM has seen this, and it is a challenge for us. This has raised the bar, so anything we do at the federal level must match and tie into this vision.” Said Olugbile Holloway, DG, NCMM

Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, Weert Boerner said “Today, we are impressed by this modern Institute building featuring unique African architecture and design, as well as cutting-edge technology that is partially installed and will be installed soon, and we are excited about the launch of its inaugural exhibition next year. On behalf of my government, I am pleased to say that we are proud to be a part of this project, through financial support from the German Foreign Office for the construction and operation of this ‘museum in the making’ over the last two years.”

About MOWAA: 

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) was formed in 2020 as an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to education, learning and skills development aimed at the preservation of heritage, the expansion of knowledge, and the celebration of West African arts and culture. Through ongoing partnerships, MOWAA offers programs and resources that foster deeper connections between contemporary art and culture and the rich heritage of West Africa while creating a centre of excellence for African and diaspora artists and scholars.

The MOWAA Institute and its Creative Campus in the historic heart of Benin City will comprise multiple buildings and public spaces for research and education, display, performance, interaction, and the enhancement of arts and culture tourism, designed through the collaboration of local and international architects.

The MOWAA Campus is an ecosystem to nurture, inspire and showcase creatives and heritage professionals, building connections between ancient artistic traditions and the contemporary creative practices. It will be a place to research and understand the past and empower and celebrate the next generation of culture makers. The campus will be made up of several spaces.

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Media Contact:

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