When was the last time you visited a museum, tempted by its many histories of eras gone by, to view the rich heritage and cultural collection on display? Around the world, museums are mostly perceived as catering to a niche audience that has a taste for all things arty. That is the reason so many museums in the world, particularly in Rwanda are finding it increasingly difficult to draw a crowd and stay relevant.

Experts says that all museums around the world need a shakeup and they have to put in more substance. The biggest debate nowadays is ‘Are museums relevant?’ if for instance climate change is a big issue, or the covid_19 pandemic, museums need to have that discussion about the issue. For society, unless there is some relevance pertaining to their local situation, it will not think of museums as important.

The very concept of museums is a bit highbrow, with a lot of people associating it with something exclusive this often destroys the importance of the place.

In an interview with The New Times, the general director of the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR), Amb. Robert Masozera talked about Rwanda’s museums’ potential and the necessity to stay socially relevant.

 "Museums are important because, in terms of heritage and history, you don’t have too many places that can store relics. Also, they play a significant part of the economy especially for tourism. Besides creative economies need a strong art sector that includes museums. And in many places, you don’t have to reach a particular level in society to go out and enjoy art. Once the relevance comes in, interest becomes inclusive,’’ he says.

With rich history that dates back to the kingdoms, colonial and post-colonial times, with artifacts and regal symbols which have been explored to attract local and foreign tourists, bringing revenue and creating awareness about the culture of Rwandan people, the museums are contributing to Rwandan pride and development as well.

According to Amb. Masozera, before 1994, Rwanda only had one museum, the National Museum of Rwanda, located in former Butare Province (the former colonial capital) and present day Huye District in the Southern Province until 2003 when seven other museums were created.

"Museums are heritage sites around the country with a platform for educating and exposing Rwandan culture and nature. That’s why by keeping them relevant we try to innovate and create new museums. As when you put into calculations, since 2003 almost every three years there is a new museum,’’ He recalls.

However, likely other museums of the world, Rwandan museums have often faced the challenge of funding, something that is deemed important for staying buoyant. Museums have to constantly be on the lookout for revenues, and whenever a country faces an economic downturn, it affects its museums,” Amb. Masozera remarked, adding that "there is need to make sure that there are enough training programs to hire skilled museum staff because it is one method of keeping museums relevant,’’

In Rwanda, the INMR is probably one recognised conservation degree program and a handful museology program to keep and manage the Rwanda’s museums.

"The platform emphasizes Rwandan culture, in fact the size is not important, but the appeal is. We need to attract tourists of all groups,’’ he pointed out

According to Amb. Masozera, Nyanza is known to be the beacon of Rwandan culture; the district is a home to two of the eight museums of Rwanda.

"The number of tourists who visit have increased since 2003, over 1,000 visitors recorded per year even though most of them were not local community, but before covid_19 took over we recorded almost 300,000 visitors per year but 75% of them are Rwandans as that was our main objective,’’ he continues.

Currently Rwanda has eight main museums including the Campaign Against Genocide Museum, Museum of Environment, King’s Palace Museum, National Art Gallery, Kandt House Museum, National Liberation Museum, Rwanda Art Museum (former Presidential Palace) and Ethnographic Museum.