Museums Are Catalysts for Regeneration - Essay Example

1 MUSEUMS ARE CATALYSTS FOR REGENERATION Definition A Museum is defined as a nonprofit institution that collects, preserves and exhibits objects, natural or manmade and of artistic, scientific and historical value for cultural, aesthetic and educational purposes (Alexander 2008, p.2) History of Museum The instinct for collecting, preserving and displaying objects were first noted in ancient Egypt when the tombs of the Pharaohs were found to be bedecked with objects of religious and utilitarian nature which the Pharaohs believed they needed in the afterlife. Soon in 280 BC, an ancient museum which displayed relics and artifacts held sacred to the gods was established in Alexandria, Egypt by Ptolemy I Soter. Thus, the purpose of the earliest museums was religious in nature. Even the word "museum" was derived from Greek mouseion, meaning a temple dedicated to the nine Muses (Alexander 2008, p.3). But soon, even animal hides, instruments, portraits and sculptures were also displayed. The Greeks then widened the scope of objects displayed in a museum by exhibiting not only statues and paintings but also jewelries, glasses, vases, pottery and ornaments which they offered to their gods. These were however, transported to Rome when the Romans ransacked Greece. Thus began the Romans' romance with works of art. Then Roman temples, palaces and private villas were adorned with these (Alexander 2008, p.4). 2 Japan and China were not left behind in this cultural activity because even before 1000 AD works of art were already manifested in their temples and palaces. It is worthwhile to mention that in Nara City, Japan many of these had been preserved. In the medieval era, monasteries like the Benedictine monasteries were at the vanguard for the reposing of important manuscripts, saints' relics, statues, paintings and jewelries. Feudal nobles, coming from the crusades in the Near East, carried with them spoils of war with beauty and added these to their private collections. But museums reached unparalleled importance during the Age of the Renaissance. The Medici family of Florence, collected the most enviable art treasures ever gathered which they ensconced in their palaces. Later these were transferred to the Vatican and made a part of the Papal collection. Then the Uffizi Gallery in Florence was made the repository of the Medici collection (Bennett 1995, p.27). The first great public museum is the Louvre Museum in Paris, which at that time was basically composed of royal collections of King Francis I. For the first time, a museum was opened to the public in 1793. When the Age of Enlightenment came, more museums were opened for public viewing. Some of these were the British Museum, the Berlin Gallery, the Prado in Madrid and the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg (Steffensen 1998, p.13). The UK Museum Experience Today, there are 'specialised museums' that cater to different crowds with different interests. These are classified under general; art and portraits; scientific; historical; industrial, commercial or professional and regional (Conn 1998, p.21). 3 Because of these specialised museums, tourists could be compelled by smart advertising techniques to visit them and experience the whole ethos, heritage, culture of the country and here we give as an example the UK experience. These museums distil the whole history of the nation in all its glorious aspects from olden to modern era. They also include important findings from all four corners of the world. In United Kingdom alone there are more than 3,000 museums which all celebrate UK culture. The most well-renowned of these is the majestic British Museum which displays a vast collection of world artefacts and relics such as Stone Age tools and instruments, a mummy board of Henutmehyt, the Sutton Hoo helmet and artefacts belonging to King Hadrian's empire (British Museum Trustees 2008). There is also the Imperial War Museum, located in London and other cities which is UK's museum of war and wartime life from the World War I through World War II, to the present. Exhibited are the aircrafts used in those wars and the Cabinet war rooms where Churchill and his government planned their strategies as London was bombarded by the Nazi Luftwaffe planes. It even showcases the HMS Belfast, which was a cruiser used during World War II. There is also the Science Museum in London, the Dday Museum, the Natural History Museum also in London. Indeed, museums are the hearthrob of the nation. Meaning: Museums Are Catalysts for Regeneration It is now accepted all over the world that tourism has positioned itself as a leading and valuable factor in any nation's economy. Spain which was down in the doldrums, revived itself 4 economically through full development of its tourism industrywhich now accounts for 12% of its GDP. Thailand, France, Greece and many other world economies are propped up because of its resurging tourism revenues. It can therefore be said that tourism is their catalyst for regeneration. However, this is but the economic impact segment. The other one is the social impact. In this paper, we use the UK experience as an example of our thesis. The UK Experience The United Kingdom was once the mightiest nation on earth particularly during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth up to Queen Victoria. But since then it has lost its grip to the primary spot. With the privilege of hosting the 2012 Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games and the reinforcement of the tourism industry through the untiring efforts of VisitBritain tourism (VisitBritain, the National Tourism Agency) and the emergence of the Green Tourism Business Scheme (Green Tourism Business Scheme), UK is on its way to regenerating itself back to the position it once held. Culture Minister Purnell reported that "the UK's flourishing tourism industry generates over 85 billion pounds a year for the British economy. It is one of our biggest employers, directly responsible for 1.4 million jobs in every 20 people in work" (Purnell 2008, p.1). Today, "creative industries and tourism contribute to 12.7% of GDP" of UK. The Museum Manifesto of 2004 clearly proclaims UK's museums as catalysts for regeneration. Consider these data: "1. 85% of overseas visitors cite museums and galleries among the prime reasons for coming to UK. 5 2. Four out of the top five UK tourist attractions are museums. 3. The UK museum sector employs 40,000 people. 4. Spending generated by visitors to national museums is estimated to be 565 million pounds. 5. The economic impact of the UK's is about 2 billion pounds. 6. National museums had an overall turnover of 715 million in 2003-2004. This is comparable to the box-office takings of whole theatre sector in the UK. 7. Regional museums turnover is around 875 million pounds in 2003-2004. It is estimated that regional museums generate more than 250 million pounds per year" (Museum Manifesto 2004). The above data pertains only to economic impact but "regeneration" has another meaning and is not limited to economic renewal or revival but it is also "the moral, spiritual or physical renewal" (Collins Paperback English Dictionary 1990, p. 717). Therefore, for museums to be indeed catalysts for regeneration, we should put into the equation its other half which is the social impact of museums in the lives of the people. This alsoeffects as catalyst for regeneration. Museums evidently sum up and distil the nation's culture. When tourists enter the nation's museums, they partake of the nation's ethos, heritage, culture and vicariously experience millenia of the country's history. When they linger in the halls of the British Museum, they suddenly become transported to pre-civilization, to the Stone Age, the Iron Age, the olden era, the medieval era up to the modern era United Kingdom. They see with their very 6 own eyes old stone hand axe that was estimated to be 800,000 years old, as also crude tools, ancient astrological instruments, costumes that depict the lifestyles of that era. It is a magical and unique experience and it regenerates the mind and soul. It is particularly enriching to children whose minds are opened to the reality that there are cultures extremely different from theirs and these belong to their forefathers. It is also the pride of the country and fosters a sense of belonging and identity. The Manifesto also stressed the importance of each region having a museum of its own to showcase its own history, tradition and heritage. It deems it best that such regional museums must contain mementos of their major cultural events and community cultural festivals so that tourists who are hindered by time constraints to visit all the tourist attractions, may be filled up by all the knowledge and the 'second-hand experience' when they visit the museums. Museums are also educational. A mere one-hour visit to a museum fills one's mind with knowledge that is tantamount to a reading of several books. It is more potent than television, newspapers, books and the internet and is most reliable and trustworthy. It was found out that 9 in 10 visitors consider museums as "places where their children can learn things they do not have in the classroom and that museums and galleries play a vital role in helping to preserve our heritage (Mishiura 2006, p.54). With the British Museum's Great Court, Scotland's National Galleries and Swansea's National Waterfront Museum, UK has allowed its citizens to enjoy accessible, open and environmentally conducive cultural haven. Lastly, "museums lead in promoting diversity and combating social exclusion" (Museum Manifesto 2007). 7 For cynical and sardonic people, the Museum Manifesto of 2004 should disabuse them of any tinge of disbelief that museums are catalysts for regeneration as all evidences are paraded before their eyes and minds by this piece of document. It reminds us that the 3,000 museums all over UK are visited each year by 100 million visitors with the effect that 3 billion pounds per year are contributed by museums to the national coffers. Before the cynics raise their eyebrows it emphasises that UK's museums are "the envy of the world" what with its 170 million historical and cultural objects that they preserve and control. Thus, they have the potential to attract more tourists and thus regenerate further the nation's economy not to mention spur each citizen's creativity and inspiration. The Manifesto claimed that the museums' contribution to education is immeasurable and that they are responsible for "over a million educational sessions per year" and that 94% of teachers see these as directly linked to the National Curriculum and that 73% of the teachers profess that their students absorb new ideas and knowledge from the experience (Museum Manifesto 2007). In connection with the Manifesto, Culture Secretary Purnell has announced the outlay of 15 million pounds for "heritage and culture each year from 2008 to 2011". Similarly, he publicised that there is a 50,000 pound feasibility study to establish a new National Museum for the Performing Arts to be constructed in Blackpool ( 24 Hour Museum News 2008). The Museum also proposed to erect 300 more new regional museums. The rationale behind is to attract more tourists bearing in mind, the UK museums' advantage of being one of 8 the best in the world. Concomitant to that is the revitalisation of local businesses especially the transportation businesses; the accommodation businesses; the entertainment spots; the other recreation establishments; shopping malls; handicraft and souvenir businesses. Indeed maximisation of the potential of museums as catalysts for regeneration has its domino effect i.e. it revitalises the nation's economy because it invigorates other key businesses. Museums therefore are the impetus that move forward other businesses. This realisation is illustrated by the new National Waterfront Museum in Swansea wherein the ground floor has been earmarked as a commercial shopping center. The museum also doubles as site for corporate events of the social, educational and commercial nature. It also has a space for 200-person banquet for special occasions (The Guardian 2005). Under construction today and scheduled to be completed by 2010 is a one-of-a-kind museum. It is so unique and fabulous that it is a surefire hit with the tourists. This is the wing-shaped Aviation Museum, which its project architect described as truly " a catalyst for regeneration" ( bd: The Architects' Website 2007). The Scarborough Museums and Gallery, on the other hand, are dedicated to the renaissance of arts and culture in UK and in Europe. The town hails these as surely "catalysts for regeneration for the following reasons i.e. "it can be one of the tools used to improve the local environment, develop a sustainable economy, diversify the local economy, build capacity in skills and create employment" ( Scarborough Renaissance Charter 2002). The Greater Manchester Museum of Science and Industry is expected to be the catalyst 9 for the urban regeneration of Manchester and Castlefield because it is expected "to contribute to Manchester's growing role in tourism and to act as an economic stimulus not only through the spending power of visitors, but also in the ordering of goods and services in the locality (Law 2002, p.76). The museum is expected to gain publicity for Manchester. To prove that museums are indeed catalysts for regeneration, Shashi Mishiura reasoned out that for only one year after Tate Modern Museum in London opened, it had "become the third most visited tourist attraction in Britain" and for that brief period "it has generated 100 million pounds worth of economic activity and 3000 new jobs". She further added that when the MilleniumGalleries in Sheffield opened, office rental values in the area increased tremendously while after the Museum of Bristol opened, investments "to create new facilities, services and jobs also increased" ( Mishiura 2006, pp.56-57). Because museums also produce a social impact to society, Mishiura enumerated three reasons why museums are catalysts for social regeneration. She said that museums are catalysts for creativity because they can be a "source for stimulation and research as in the case of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London which inspire designers". She also claimed that museums are centres for research and innovation. As an example the Natural History Museum is an active contributor to "medical and environmental research". She also propounded the fact that museums promote intercultural understanding and are agents for social change and proffered the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television as agent for racial understanding and social change" (Mishiura 2006, pp.57-58). 10 Museums give a social impact to each individual because they help one to understand himself better as museums allow him to explore his roots. "The very special excitement of turning the pages of original records makes the past come alive in a unique way which internet or television could never replicate" (MGM 2007 Report, p.10). However, there are also those with divergent views. Hewison holds that "by being forced into the market place, museums have lost the values on which they were based and that to attract sponsorship they have to be more contemporary, less critical and align exhibitions with consumerist products" (Law 2002, p. 76). Still personally museums are the best history teacher we can have. Life will be incomplete without them. They are sure-fire catalysts for regeneration, contributing to any country's economy at the same time raising high our spirits. 11 REFERENCES Alexander, M 2008, 'Museums in motion and an introduction to the history and functions', Rowman & Littlefield, p.2. bd: The Architects' Website 2007, ' Aviation museum gets Gateway regeneration off to a flying start.http://www.bdonline.co.uk/story.aspstorycode=3087259 Bennett, T 1995, 'The birth of the museum:history, theory, politics", Routledge, p.27. British Museum Trustees 2008, 'The British museum', www.britishmuseum.org/uk/default.aspx. Collins Paperback English Dictionary 1990, 'Regeneration', William Collins & Sons, London, p.717. Conn, S 1998, 'museums and American intellectual life, 1876-1926', University of Chicago Press, Chicago. Green Tourism Business Scheme. www.greentourism.org.uk/Default.aspx:loc10.008006006. wkm. The Guardian 2005, 'Full steam ahead', www.guardian.co.uk/artandesign/2005/oct/17/architecture.communities-92k. Imperial War Museum Trustees, 2008, 'Imperial war museum' http://www.iwm.org.uk/ Law, C 2002, 'Urban tourism', Cengage Learning EMEA, p.76. Mishiura, S 2006, 'Heritage marketing', Butterworth-Heinemann, p.54. MGM 2007 Report 2007, 'Museum and galleries month 2007'. www.mgm.org.uk/site/downloads/MGM%202007%20short%20Report.pdf. National Museum Director's Conference 2007, "Museum manifesto of 2004', www.nationalmuseums.org.uk/manifesto_for_museums .html-15k 12 Purnell, J 2008, 'Winning: A tourism strategy for 2012 and beyond', mediafiles.thedms.co.uk/Publication/os-ox/cms/pdf/tourismstrategyfor2012-fullreport.pdf Scarborough Renaissance Center 2002, 'Delivering culturally-led regeneration', http://www.community planning.co.uk/scarborough/pdf/keytheme3.pdf. Steffensen, I 1998, 'Marble palaces, temples of art: art museums architecture and American Buckwell University Press. 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