The lack of clear guidelines pertaining to museums in South Africa is a great source of concern. The Department of Arts and Culture has therefore developed the draft National Museums Policy. This Policy remains a key in unlocking the potential of South African museums.
The intended outcomes of the national policy are to give definition to national museums, propose a national museums structure, and to simplify management, coordination and operations (core business) of national museums. More specifically, the policy is expected to provide guidance on issues such as a museum definition specifically for museums in the current African context; coordination of museum services; museum classification, grading and accreditation; the roles and responsibilities of declared cultural institutions as national institutions; public, private sector and community based museums; sites of interpretation / exhibition centres; natural history collections; intangible cultural heritage and Indigenous Knowledge Systems; intellectual capital; museums and transformation; public access to museums; funding of national museums; and management of museums.
Substantial research has been done to develop the draft Policy. However, no policy can be developed in a vacuum. Inputs from the museum sector are very important, especially since the Museums Policy needs to be relevant and useful to everyone in the sector. The Department of Arts and Culture is therefore organising a national consultative workshop to allow the sector to properly interrogate the Policy and provide inputs.
When: 14 to 15 August 2014
Where: Cape Town Lodge Hotel and Conference Centre, 101 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town
There are no registration fees applicable. However, the department will not be able to pay for travel and accommodation.
RSVP before 11 August 2014:
Ms Corry Masilela
E-mail: CorryM@dac.gov.za
Ms Hlulani Ndlovu
E-mail: HlulaniN@dac.gov.za
