Open Forum

Hello all

Several years ago, the Michigan State University Museum Studies Program has, through the engagement of two curators/professors at the MSU Museum, developed a summer study abroad program: Art, Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies in South Africa. https://msusouthafricastudyabroad.wordpress.com   I wondered if any other US museums have staff engaged in museum studies programs in Africa and, if so, what the impact of this engagement has been on your home institution, what obstacles/challenges have been encountered in running a program, and other reflections.


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Marsha MacDowell
Curator
Michigan State University Museum
East Lansing MI
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May be you could also look at the museum project undertaken between US and African museums through the Museums connect programme. In that case Gidan Makama museum Kano Nigeria had undertaken a joint project with Phipps conservatory and botanical garde, Pittsburg called "From the ground up: Nutritional values and cultural connections".
  
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Aliyu Abdu
Curator/Heritage Manager
National Commission For Museums and Monuments
Kano
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2015 06:43 AM
From: Marsha MacDowell
Subject: US Museums and Museum Studies linkages in Africa

Hello all

Several years ago, the Michigan State University Museum Studies Program has, through the engagement of two curators/professors at the MSU Museum, developed a summer study abroad program: Art, Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies in South Africa. https://msusouthafricastudyabroad.wordpress.com   I wondered if any other US museums have staff engaged in museum studies programs in Africa and, if so, what the impact of this engagement has been on your home institution, what obstacles/challenges have been encountered in running a program, and other reflections.


-------------------------------------------
Marsha MacDowell
Curator
Michigan State University Museum
East Lansing MI
-------------------------------------------

Thanks for that thought. The Michigan State University Museum and the Nelson Mandela Museum (Mthatha, South Africa) had one of the first grants from Museums Connect (then called Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad) and that partnership greatly advanced our understanding of the challenges and wonderful opportunities of working on bi-national engagements. The MSU Museum/Mandela Museum partnership endures today and our study abroad program has often included visits to Mthatha and/or talks by Mandela Museum staff.


Original Message------


May be you could also look at the museum project undertaken between US and African museums through the Museums connect programme. In that case Gidan Makama museum Kano Nigeria had undertaken a joint project with Phipps conservatory and botanical garde, Pittsburg called "From the ground up: Nutritional values and cultural connections".
  
-------------------------------------------
Aliyu Abdu
Curator/Heritage Manager
National Commission For Museums and Monuments
Kano
-------------------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2015 06:43 AM
From: Marsha MacDowell
Subject: US Museums and Museum Studies linkages in Africa

Hello all

Several years ago, the Michigan State University Museum Studies Program has, through the engagement of two curators/professors at the MSU Museum, developed a summer study abroad program: Art, Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies in South Africa. https://msusouthafricastudyabroad.wordpress.com   I wondered if any other US museums have staff engaged in museum studies programs in Africa and, if so, what the impact of this engagement has been on your home institution, what obstacles/challenges have been encountered in running a program, and other reflections.


-------------------------------------------
Marsha MacDowell
Curator
Michigan State University Museum
East Lansing MI
-------------------------------------------

Hi Marsha,
       If you are interested, I'd be happy to provide more information about our project "From the Ground Up" which my partner, Aliyu, mentioned above.  The outcome of this project- handmade recipe books from each museum- is currently on display at Phipps as part of Tropical Forest Congo, a three-year exhibit focusing on the biodiversity and cultures of the Congo River Basin. 

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Jordyn Melino
Exhibit Coordinator
Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
Pittsburgh PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2015 08:03 AM
From: Marsha MacDowell
Subject: US Museums and Museum Studies linkages in Africa

Thanks for that thought. The Michigan State University Museum and the Nelson Mandela Museum (Mthatha, South Africa) had one of the first grants from Museums Connect (then called Museums and Community Collaborations Abroad) and that partnership greatly advanced our understanding of the challenges and wonderful opportunities of working on bi-national engagements. The MSU Museum/Mandela Museum partnership endures today and our study abroad program has often included visits to Mthatha and/or talks by Mandela Museum staff.