The two days will feature our hardhat opening of the building, talks, creative workshops and social gatherings. This occasion marks the start of our first annual programming season, leading up to MOWAA’s inaugural exhibition in Spring 2025.
Our immersive experiences range from live archaeological excavations, digital recreations of historic spaces, conversations and performances in our gardens, and ceramic making sessions, imbued with folklore and contemporary odes. Optional building and city tours will be available for curious guests.
Following this, the MOWAA Campus will be open to the public every Friday in November and December 2024 as part of the ongoing Museum in the Making programme.
Museum in the Making is a generous space to join the conversation as we share our journey and interrogate what a West African Museum should – or could – be. What is the potential of art to trace forgotten historic connections across African societies? Can archaeological technologies be employed to counter prejudiced narratives of the Dark Continent? What role should arts institutions play in urban transformation? How do we appeal to a predominantly young audience at home and to diasporic Black and African communities? Do conventional Western distinctions between art, archaeology, and crafts constitute rigid boundaries within our society? If so, how do we respond to this fluidity in our emerging curatorial and contemporary art-making practices?
The inauguration of MOWAA Institute, our collection and conservation facility, presents an opportunity to engage in candid, reflective discussions on what it means to be a ‘West African’ museum and how museum practices on the continent must evolve to address the realities and diverse audiences of the 21st century.
As our first building opens and emerging Campus unfolds, our attention has shifted from philosophical discourse to reflexive practice. We have reaffirmed our commitment to decoloniality, framed as evidencing West African histories and retracing the trajectory of its creativity into the contemporary. For this reason, the imperative of building African leadership in the study and preservation of heritage remain our critical focus.
Kindly note, attendance to the events and access to MOWAA Campus on the official preview dates (4 & 5 November 2024) is by invitation only. Further information will be shared in the run up to the November official events to our confirmed guests. To stay up to date, please visit our website or reach out to our Events Team on events@wearemowaa.org.
Public visitors days will begin November 15, 2024 with a simple pre-registration required, available online or at the entrance to the MOWAA Campus.
Find answers to questions you may have regarding the upcoming Museum in the Making event here.
To learn more about how you can contact the press team or see Museum in the Making featured in the news.
Discover the partners and donors who have contributed to the development of MOWAA and the MOWAA Campus.
The MOWAA Campus is located in the historical heart of Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
The official address is 1 Sapele Road, Benin City, Edo, Nigeria.
Submit your email and receive all the latest MOWAA news