The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), Benin City has signed an agreement with the University of Cambridge Museum of Archeology and Anthropology to increase access to educational materials, archival and archaeological collections for West African scholars and professionals.
The partnership followed through on plans to open a museum building, the MOWAA Institute, scheduled for this week.
According to MOWAA director Ore Disou, African cultural advocates have long been excluded from the conversation about their artefacts due to visa issues, high travel costs or being denied access to foreign museums.
MOWAA’s move will not only give African creatives access to the best research and archives, but also mentorship opportunities to grow in their chosen field of expertise, he said.
“We at MOWAA are proud to provide access to the resources and archives of one of the most prestigious universities in the world. We commend Cambridge for its willingness to work on a common vision,” he added.
Professor Nicholas Thomas, director of the Cambridge Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, said its main aim was to make excellent historical collections accessible and to activate them through contemporary engagement.