Not enough locals visit museums, says outgoing Asian Civilisations Museum director
By Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 May 2008 2143 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Not enough locals are visiting museums in Singapore.

That is the view of Dr Kenson Kwok, the outgoing director of the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Dr Kwok plans to retire at the end of the year after 14 years at the helm, and a worldwide hunt has begun to find someone to replace him.

The newly opened Peranakan Museum in Armenian Street is Dr Kwok's latest major project.

The museum houses the world's most comprehensive collection of Peranakan artefacts and pieces from daily life.

One of Dr Kwok's favourites is a chair he found while browsing through a junk shop.

"There it was sitting, maybe quite sadly, in this former toilet but I could see immediately that it was a very fine chair, it was in very good condition. Of course, I asked the owner of the shop 'Tell me more about that chair', and he said 'Oh, but I've got seven more,'" said Dr Kwok.

Dr Kwok's major contribution to the Singapore museum scene began in the same building back in the early 1990s when he was asked to create the first Asian Civilisations Museum in what was then the old Tao Nan School in Armenian Street.

The museum opened in April 1997 after five years of planning. It was initially known for its high-quality displays of Chinese artefacts.

And in 2003, the Asian Civilisations Museum at Empress Place was opened to cater for the growing collection which includes South Asian and Islamic pieces.

Over the years, Dr Kwok has helped secure cash and artefact donations worth over $32 million as well as long-term loans, valued at more than $137 million.

The "Journey of Faith" exhibition, showcasing works of art from the Vatican collection, was one of several major exhibitions spear-headed by Dr Kwok. It took seven years of preparation to stage the event.

But Dr Kwok's biggest challenge has always been getting more Singaporeans to visit the museums.

He said: "Many people, when they travel, they go to museums in other countries. But, when they're home, they're too busy, and therefore I think not enough local people come to the museums."

He hoped more Singaporeans would visit the museums at home.

"I think that will come when more people recognise that we have really fantastic museums, just on our doorstep," he said.

Attitudes seem to be changing. Last year, more than half a million people visited the Asian Civilisations Museum, compared to just 80,000 in 1997.

And in the first 11 days of opening, 20,000 people have been to the Peranakan Museum.

So Dr Kwok can retire at the top of his game. - CNA/ir