Sad tidings from France: the Musée Africain de Lyon (founded in 1860 and holding about 6,000 objects) is threatened with closure. The museum (which receives no public subsidy and relies on income from entrance tickets and private donations) has created an online fundraiser to collect €20,000 to keep the museum open (info). Formerly run by missionaries, the museum ‘professionalized’ in 2012 by hiring two full-time employees. They welcome about 10,000 visitors a year, but need the double to break even. The yearly budget is not that high, with only €60,000 the museum can remain open and program two or three temporary exhibitions. The extra funds would be used to improve the educational activities, step up its public relations, and for the installation of the planned exhibitions for 2016 (Children’s games–ritual figurines; Migrants from African and West Indies in Lyon; and a show about the representation of African women in photography of the 20th and 21st centuries). Unfortunately the crowd funding’s start was launched the morning of the attacks in Paris, so not surprisingly failed to attract much attention. So far it has only reached a mere 5% of its goal – while more than ever we want children to learn about the world’s diversity. You can support the museum here.
ps for a virtual visit of the museum, click here.