My suggestions for the improvement of the Government Museum, Chennai

 

Though the Government Museum in Egmore is one of the foremost tourist attractions of Chennai city, I feel, it could do with some improvements and upgradation.

  •  The museum should be rebranded and have a logo and mascot of its own.
  •  Colourful, glossy and attractive pamphlets and brochures (in English and Tamil) should be distributed to museum visitors at the entrance advertising the various galleries and facilities available.
  • Visitors should also be asked to fill in a survey/feedback form (in English and Tamil) to collect demographic information (age, sex, educational qualification, occupation, nationality, hometown, etc) and also to provide complaints if any and suggestions for improvement.
  • A separate bookshop should be set up close to the entrance gate for sale of publications. Fresh reprints in hardbound should be made of older publications and the showcases should be kept clean and well-maintained. (I wish to cite the example of the Theosophical Society bookshop at the Theosophical Society Headquarters in Adyar).
  •  The museum bulletin should be revitalized and made more attractive. Public subscriptions should be invited for the newsletter and bulletin and subscription forms be made available at the bookshop. The museum should also preferably publish a newsletter for kids. A mailing list should also be started to keep enthusiasts updated about the events that take place at the Museum Theatre or special exhibitions if any.
  • The Museum should constitute a dedicated film making division  to produce original wildlife films (not dubbed ones) in Tamil.
  •  An ATM should be set up next to the ticket counter.
  • Security should be tightened and more CCTV cameras made available. The whole security process might be outsourced to external security agencies.
  • Various kinds of informative CD-ROMs (containing documentaries, etc) should be prepared and sold at the bookshop. An interactive software giving a 3D tour of the various galleries should be created and sold at the bookshop.
  • The Museum Theatre should hold regular events like quizzes, music concerts and weekly documentary screenings. The Museum Theatre might be canvassed as a favourable litfest venue and litfests like the annual The Hindu Litfest could be conducted here. Such events would generate more public interest in the museum itself and bring increased footfall.
  • The Museum should collaborate more frequently with the University of Madras, British Council, Alliance Francaise and the Goethe-Institut and various embassies/high commissions for upgradation, outsourcing, exchange visits, events, etc.
  •  The museum should periodically conduct offline/online museum studies, conservation, epigraphy, archaeology or natural science courses and workshops either alone or in collaboration with other institutions.  Platforms like edx and Futurelearn might be useful in this regard.

 

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