In 2020, following the COVID-19 outbreak has affected the whole world abruptly, affecting our lifestyle, from the interactions with one and another, change in the work environment and subsequently the organisation. Museums are no exception, and the cultural and tourism sector is among the most affected. The challenges of adapting the reduced visitor numbers and ensuring staff safety results in a new visitors experience. Hence, these unpredictable times required the museum institutions to learn quickly on how to remain relevant and visible to the public.

In spite of the problems, on the other perspective, this crisis served as a catalyst for a new approach and innovations for museum sectors particularly in Sarawak, notably an increased focus on digitisation and the creation of new forms of museum experience and knowledge dissemination. With the theme of International Museum Day 2021 “The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine”, this is a crucial moment for Sarawak Museum Department (SMD) to embrace and lead the change. Therefore, SMD in the progressive effort of rethinking and reworking to promote the value of collection and create interactive activities for the visitors. 

Aims:

Hence, this conference aims to bring together different perspectives of museum practitioners across multi-disciplines to discuss the overall need for a change in the current year. Based on this conference we expecting to obtain a broad resource and promote stimulating discourse on current challenge in museology, collection and conservation issues in order to achieve SMD Strategic Plan 2021-2025 that emphasise on:

1) Enhancing collections care and management;

2) Active collections research and publications;

3) Heritage protection and promoting Sarawak Heritage Ordinance 2019;

4) Engaging exhibitions and visitors experience;

5) Strategic networking and inter-institutional collaborations;

6) Communities outreach and empowerment; and

7) Good governance.

Year 2021 will bring the concerted efforts from Sarawak Museum Department (SMD) for new direction in developments and strategies to bring the stakeholders recognition and lessons that we can learn from the past that offers a great opportunity to enhance the roles of SMD to support such endeavours.

Conference Method and Registration Fees: 

Following the COVID-19 outbreak, we decided to adapt the format of digital activities to ensure the safety of speakers, staff and visitors. The conference will be conducted via virtual interactions. 

No fees will be charged to attend the conference.

Join Us and Register Now!