The Saudi National Museum held on Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18, on the occasion of International Museum Day, a package of activities included meetings and workshops with a group of experts and specialists in the field of museums, under the slogan “Museums of Education and Research”.
Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Saudi National Committee of the International Council of Museums, attended the celebration.
The first day began with a symposium entitled “Unforgettable Experiences: Educational Practices in Museums,” in which Sumantro Ghose, Director of Artistic Programs at the Royal Commission in AlUla, and Oliver Farrell, Director of Education Programs at the Misk Art Institute, participated in the event.
Ghose emphasized that museums and creative institutions play an important role in social cultural development.
The symposium touched on how to create creative educational experiences in museums, through immersive emotional interactive activities. Farrell stressed the importance of museums as creative institutions and centers for learning and innovation, noting the need for museums to form a stimulating environment for learners of all ages.
Promoting Museum Collaboration, Enrichment
A meeting was held with Princess Haifa bint Mansour bin Bandar, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi National Committee for the International Council of Museums. She introduced the International Council of Museums, discussed integrating efforts between museum institutions and related entities. She also highlighted the effective role of ICOM in preserving culture, history, and antiquities.
Her Highness said: “The International Council is working to increase the number of members in order to enrich the sector in general, enhance individual development, and provide support and benefit to all.”
The third meeting was with the museum advisor at the Sharjah Museums Authority, specialist in museology and cultural diplomacy, lecturer in art history, Manal Ataya, and the advisor in the museum field and museum education, Dalal Majid.
The meeting discussed the research potential of museums, emphasizing their role in education, innovation, and community development.
At the end of the first day of celebrating International Museum Day, a workshop was held and discussed the infinite treasure of museums, and how to draw inspiration from them to design pieces of art. She said: Museums have historical, archaeological and cultural treasures waiting to be discovered.
A series of museum workshops were also presented for adults and children, promoting the values of creativity and community participation.
On the second day, enriching dialogue meetings were held for the museum sector in the Kingdom.
The first meeting, entitled “For More Sustainable Museums,” discussed the role of museums in promoting the concept of sustainability.
Journey in Virtual Reality
The second meeting, entitled “A Journey in Virtual Reality: Discovering Saudi Arabia’s Rich Heritage,” highlighted how modern technologies can be used to enhance the visitor’s experience in museums as well as to explore and document heritage in the Kingdom.
The last meeting was entitled “Between Design and Narrative in Archaeological Museums.” It focused on how museum design and storytelling attract visitors and deepen their understanding of history and culture in archaeological exhibits.
The second day ended with educational workshops and interactive activities highlighting the significance of museums. They serve as a bridge connecting the past with its artifacts, stories, and secrets, to the present and guiding us toward the future.
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