Many people have different thoughts when the word 'museum' is mentioned. Most people think of it as a collection house where various artworks are displayed for the viewing pleasure of visitors. To others, it's just a place where people can go for trips with their families and see ancient works of artists. It doesn't matter what people randomly say about museums based their different perceptions. The roles of museums goes past beyond entertainment and a place for sight seeing. It plays much bigger roles in fostering creativity and preserving the different cultural heritage of the society. The big question is; what actually is the importance of a museum in the society?
Preservation of culture
The invention of museums serves as a means of safeguarding the ancient cultural antiquities and relics peculiar to a particular society, ensuring they are not lost time or diminishes in value. These treasures are stored up for the sake of the new generation. It gives them a chance to learn about these treasures and carry them along to the next generation.
Tourism
Museums attracts a lot visitors both locally and internationally. These visitors may include cultural enthusiasts who are eager to explore the different cultures of different people. Museums hold a lot of remarkable landmarks and arts which may be of interest to a lot of heritage-minded visitors. The idea of tourism helps to strengthen the ties between the visitors and the local as the exchange cultural ideas. It can also serve as a way of boosting the economy of a state as the visitors spend funds on food, accommodation and transportation.
Education and Research
The inception of museums has a huge contribution to the advancement of knowledge and has created much better opportunities in learning for students, scholars and the learners at large. Exhibitions at the museums serves as means of prioritizing visual learning and plays a vital role in encouraging informal learning methods on diverse subjects, ranging form history to arts, to science and even technology. A visit to the museum will be ideal for extra curriculum school activities. Not only will it help to entertain students of all ages, it is a great way of relieving the tension felt within the school environment giving the students chance to experience new methods of learning and interaction.
Avenues for job creation
The museum provides different employment opportunities for different people, directly and indirectly. The museum requires a lot of workforce in its various department which includes administration, marketing and management in general. These positions calls for professionals with degrees and relevant work experiences to hold. Other areas of service however may not require professional to handle its management. These areas include providing hospitality for the visitors, security , and shopping arenas. Nonetheless, they provide a measure of employment opportunities as they cannot be left vacant.
Urban development
The construction of museums attracts other infrastructural investments in its surrounding for better tourist experiences. The construction of hotels, shopping malls, entertainment parks and improved roads can help to give visitors a much enjoyable experience, fostering infrastructural development within the districts. Museums may not directly sponsor the execution of these projects however, they go a long way in attracting investors who may be willing to sponsor these projects and enhance the overall development of the community.
In a nutshell, museums are valuable pillars of a society whose roles cannot be overemphasized. Their presence serves as a way of preserving our different cultural treasures to be carried on from generations to generations. They provide a means of informal learning, provides avenues for job creation and fosters infrastructural development. Its relevance, although not limited to the few mentioned will continue to play a vital role in telling our stories for generations to come.
Cover image from Pixabay
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