The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has recently been awarded a transformative two-year grant from the Ford Foundation, further solidifying its commitment to advancing the recognition and preservation of West African art and culture.
This strategic funding, which arrives at a pivotal moment in the museum’s development, will play a crucial role in addressing longstanding challenges within the region’s arts sector and expanding its reach globally.
West Africa’s art scene continues to grapple with significant obstacles, from a lack of exhibition space to limited public access and inadequate infrastructure for the preservation of its rich artistic heritage. Compounding these issues is a scarcity of opportunities for artists to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and for local art to secure a prominent place in the global marketplace.
The Ford Foundation’s grant will provide MOWAA with the resources to tackle these barriers head-on, ensuring that West African art receives the visibility it rightfully deserves.
Central to this initiative is the establishment of a “living archive” at the MOWAA Institute in Benin City, Nigeria. This cutting-edge facility will function as both a research center and a dynamic cultural hub, capturing the historical depth and contemporary evolution of West African art practices. It will be an invaluable resource for scholars, curators, and artists alike, fostering greater collaboration and understanding of the region’s vibrant artistic traditions.
In addition to the archive, the funding will support the enhancement of MOWAA’s exhibition facilities. These improvements will allow the museum to offer world-class spaces that elevate the presentation of West African art, offering artists an international platform to showcase their work.
The goal is to create an environment where local creativity thrives and resonates on a global stage, increasing public engagement with the region’s diverse art forms.
This grant also underscores MOWAA’s broader vision of integrating contemporary art with West Africa’s rich cultural heritage. By creating opportunities for cultural exchange and amplifying the voices of local artists, MOWAA seeks to reclaim and reframe the narrative of African art within a global context.
MOWAA’s ongoing success in securing significant funding, including prior support from organizations like The Mellon Foundation, highlights its growing influence in the global art world. The museum’s efforts to promote West African art not only preserve its cultural significance but also position it as a key player in the future of the global art market. As MOWAA continues to drive its mission forward, this grant marks a decisive step in its goal to redefine the role of West African art on the world stage.
