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Visitor policy: what approaches for African museums?

Context
The relationship to visitors appears to be one of the major challenges of African heritage institutions today.

According to statistics, African museums suffer from a lack of interest from its visitors, whereas the profession is expanding, with the creation of new public, community or private institutions. With rare exceptions, visits to these institutions are few compared to their welcoming capacities and to potential visitors.

In a series of surveys carried out as from 1999 by EPA, even the school public which is relatively easy to attract, is not sufficiently mobilised. More than 95% of African schoolchildren never visit museums when they exist!

Issues relating to the mobilisation of visitors in order to use to its maximum capacities the educational, cultural and economic potential of African cultural heritage need to be thoroughly examined and need the setting up of tools to conquer visitors.

Target
Approximately 15 African professionals from museum or related institutions.

Objective
Prepare the implementation of efficient visitor policies in African museums in order to amplify the results expected from the "Museums in the service of development" programme.

Content and methodology
The workshop will be based on:
- a common analysis of the experiences of African museums respecting their relationship to their audiences.
- discussions around tools developed (in and out of Africa) by professionals to attract visitors, especially children.

The methodology will be interactive, with lectures, case studies, and visits to various museums in Benin, etc.

Dates
May 16 to 21, 2005.

Location
Ecole du Patrimoine Africain , Porto-Novo, Benin

Conditions for participating
To be able to finance the return journey, accommodation (from 25.000 to 50.000 FCFA/day) and tuition fees (300.000 FCFA per person). A few grants are available.

Partners
Ministère des Affaires étrangères-France, African museums, EPA

Contact
Gérard Tognimassou
Ecole du Patrimoine Africain - EPA
B.P. 2205 Porto-Novo, Bénin
Tel. (00 229) 21 48 38, Fax (00 229) 21 21 09
E-mail : gt@epa-prema.net ;