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Improving museums

Holding the 15th triennial conference of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in New Delhi may have been an overdue recognition of India’s rich civilisational heritage and its more than 150 years of experience in administering museums. But the event also brought to attention the poor state of government-run museums in the country. The Indian national committee of ICOM estimates that there are more than 500 museums administered by the State and Central governments. These museums, which have acquired many rare treasures of historical significance, have managed to display only 10 per cent of their collections; the rest are gathering dust in the store rooms. As a result, art lovers and ordinary people are denied an opportunity to view, enjoy, and learn from them. The problem is not just shortage of space but also indifferent display and design. Displays in many museums fall short of international standards and remain less interactive and engaging. Museums are not just a repository. They are expected to perform important social and educational functions. If they are to achieve these objectives and remain relevant, a thorough redesign of buildings and display techniques is called for.

Financially, while the nationally important museums that come directly under the Union Ministry of Culture can consider themselves somewhat lucky, the others — especially the ones run by the State governments — suffer from poor funding. For example, the Tamil Nadu Planning Commission has earmarked only Rs.2.18 crore for the period 2007-12; this is about one-tenth of what was recommended for the previous five-year period. Lack of professionalism is another reason for the sad state of the museums. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report (2005) noted that precious art objects in the three nationally important museums in Kolkata were “vulnerable to losses” and blamed it on lack of well-defined objectives, improper documentation, and failure to evolve a consistent policy for acquisition of artefacts. Inadequate conservation facilities and want of trained personnel invariably leave the visitors disappointed. A system of accrediting museums on the lines of what is operating in the United Kingdom or of the one in the United States will facilitate periodical monitoring of their functioning, collection policy, conservation efforts, and so on. Such a process will make for better practices, besides enhancing credibility. If need be, accreditation process can be made mandatory for providing financial assistance.

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