Building Cultural Futures: Reflections on developing the MOWAA Institute
- Region: Online
- Type: Talk
- Cost: Free
Founding Director, Ore Disu reflects on the establishment of the MOWAA Institut at this free online Art History Festival talk.
Thursday, 19th September, 16:00-17:00
Welcome to Building Cultural Futures: Reflections on developing the MOWAA Institute!
Over the past four years, the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has made progress in establishing a cultural institution in Nigeria focused on archaeology, heritage management, and arts programming. At the heart of this is the MOWAA Institute, a center for conservation and research with a wing for archaeological science.
As the Institute prepares for its opening this November, Founding Director Ore Disu reflects on the impact of cultural infrastructure and how the building process can mend cultural fractures. The upcoming structure, inspired by traditional Benin architecture, uses rammed earth, a rare choice in institutional building in Africa. Ore discusses the experimentation involved, the integration of archaeology, and the embrace for open learning. She considers the potential for arts institutions to influence heritage management, environmental sustainability, and support artisanal industries.
The campus design process also intersects with difficult historical legacies. Situated in Benin’s historic urban core and with colonial remnants, the development raises questions about which elements of the past to preserve, erase, or commemorate. Ore envisions scaling these ideas, exploring how community support and local policies can align with culturally conscious building in Nigeria.