The Museum of Black Civilizations in Dakar, Senegal, marked its fifth anniversary on Wednesday with a free day for visitors. However, the event drew only a small crowd, prompting criticism from some that the museum is not doing enough to reach out to Senegalese people.
“It’s always important to visit museums and learn about local culture,” said Sami Alami, a French-Moroccan student who visited the museum on Wednesday. “But I’m surprised at how few people are here. I’ve only seen a handful of people all day.”
Seyni Dieng, a Senegalese student, said he was not aware of the anniversary event until he arrived at the museum. “I come here often, but I didn’t know about this,” he said. “I was about to pay when I found out it was free.”
Karl Kareoba, a French painter and sculptor, said he believes the museum needs to do more to raise awareness of African art and culture. “We need to bring art to people,” he said. “We need to take it to the cities and the neighborhoods.”
Museum officials said the anniversary festivities will continue on December 12, with a series of events including concerts, workshops, and exhibitions.
The low attendance at the Museum of Black Civilizations’ 5th anniversary event suggests that the museum is still struggling to attract Senegalese visitors. It seemed as a problem for the museum, which is dedicated to preserving and promoting African art and culture.
There are a number of possible explanations for the low attendance.
One possibility is that the museum is simply not well-known in Senegal. Another possibility is that people are not interested in African art and culture. However, it is also possible that the museum is not doing enough to reach out to Senegalese people.
The museum has taken some steps to address this issue, such as offering free admission for students and residents of Dakar. However, it is clear that more needs to be done. The museum aims to work with local community groups and organizations to raise awareness of its mission and its exhibits. It also looks to develop programs and events that are specifically designed to appeal to Senegalese audiences.