National Museum Oman Holds Seminar on Administration, International Collaboration on Loan Collections

Muscat: The National Museum, represented by the learning centre, in collaboration with the US Embassy in the Sultanate of Oman and the Smithsonian Institution – the world’s largest museum and research complex and the United States’ preeminent cultural center – launched a series of (3) seminars.

Those seminars focus on museum administration and international collaborations on the loan of collections to Omani museum professionals, scholars, and university students during the period.

Jamal Hassan Al Moosawi, Secretary General of the National Museum, said: “This collaboration is a consolidation and confirmation of the role played by the National Museum through the development of creative and intellectual capabilities in preserving the cultural heritage of the Sultanate of Oman and holding such educational seminars in collaboration with leading international institutions in the museum sector. This will contribute to achieving best practices in the fields of museum sciences, in order to enhance sustainable management and achieve the desired qualitative leap for the museum industry in Oman. We look forward to further collaboration and exchange of experiences with the US Embassy and the Smithsonian Institution”.

Leslie Tsou, Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) to the Sultanate of Oman said, “Museums are a public good and an important investment. Preserving cultural heritage is and will continue to be important to both our countries. The United States remains committed to supporting these initiatives and to strengthening our cultural and educational partnership with Oman.”

The seminars run by Dr. Taylor and Matthew Arnold, will cover topics including Museum Fundraising and Modes of External Funding for Museum Programs,” which relate to the goals of Oman Vision 2040, including “monetization, fundraising, and commercial aspects” of the museum field. They will also host a roundtable discussion which focuses on the International Collaborations and Planning for the Future. This discussion focuses on the ideas presented during the first two seminars.

According to Dr. Taylor, “The Smithsonian Institution has a great interest in capacity-building in the museum field. Around the world many cultural traditions, craft techniques, and forms of indigenous music are in danger of being lost, but in our collaboration with the National Museum of Oman, we see professionals, scholars, students, and even ordinary citizens dedicated to preserving Omani history, heritage, culture, and craft.”

It is noteworthy that the National Museum hosted, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, a series of online seminars last year on 21st century curatorship for Omani museum professionals, specialists and university students in a bid to boost Oman’s cultural institution.

The series builds on the National Museum’s collaboration with the US Embassy on cultural preservation and knowledge exchanges. Recently, the National Museum and the Embassy partnered to restore a photo album containing historically significant images, including the oldest known photo of Muttrah, A’Rustaq Fort, Jabreen Castle, and the Beehive Tombs. The 88-page album contains significant photos from the first US Consul to Oman and illustrates the long historical ties between the two countries.

The National Museum is Oman’s flagship cultural institution, showcasing the country’s cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible.

The U.S. Embassy provided support for the program in close cooperation with the National Museum. The seminars will focus on museum administration and international loan collaborations. Previously, the Embassy facilitated similar training opportunities by facilitating the visit of leaders from the National Museum, the National Records and Archive Authority, and the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage to the United States for a multi-week International Visitor Leadership Program. – ONA