The Edo Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) Trust has unveiled its plans and programmes for developing arts and culture in West Africa as work progresses on constructing the Pavilion in Benin City, Edo State.
The Pavilion, which will be the first building within EMOWAA’s Creative District, was designed by the renowned architect David Adjaye in collaboration with Nigerian architects. It will house a materials and digital lab, archaeology centre and research and archives facility.
At a media parley in Lagos on Thursday, executive chairman of EMOWAA Trust Philip Iheanacho said the Pavilion is meant to support museums across West Africa.
“EMOWAA’S initial focus will be on creating an ecosystem for research education and career opportunities for young creative and professionals in cultural heritage management. The Pavilion is planned as archives and research centre, providing space for learning and exchange, and archival space for works of art from West Africa and the diaspora both contemporary and heritage. It will also be a space that will help catalyse the art and culture ecosystem by providing infrastructure for capacity building, training, digitization of works and growing a pipeline of future artists and archaeologists. In short, it is about building platforms for the study and creation of art,” Iheanacho said.
He added that the Pavilion would house a visitor centre for engaging local stakeholders through ongoing initiatives and programming. An example of one of these programmes launched recently is the open learning initiative developed in partnership with the Open Society Foundation in Africa.
Iheanacho disclosed that the Pavilion is being funded by generous contributions from the EMOWAA Trust Board of Directors and donations from local individuals and corporate supporters, international foundations and institutions that include German and Edo State Governments among others.
He stated that EMOWAA wants to show that museums do not have to run at a loss if they are properly managed.
Iheanacho stressed that although EMOWAA is independent in its operations it does not own rights to artefacts. He noted that the museum simply wishes to partner with the Edo State Government, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments of Nigeria, and the Benin Kingdom.
