Museum of Belize opens activity room for kids
On the occasion of its fourth birthday, today the Museum of Belize presented a gift to its visitors … a new interactive room that will allow for plenty of artistic freedom. News Five’s Karla Vernon explains.
Karla Vernon, Reporting
Since the Museum of Belize opened four years ago, the children have been told not to touch any of the items on display … The only writing or drawing they ever did was in their own notebooks. But today, MoB officially opened a new activity room that will be strictly hands-on so the children can create their own works of art. Exhibit designer Kernelle Parks is in charge of the new space.
Kernelle Parks, Exhibit Designer/Art Educator
?This room is geared towards children. We are looking for children from the ages eight to twelve and we hope to work with them in the evening, showing them a lot about our culture and Belizean-izing a few of the projects that we have worked with here at the museum. Basically it?s just for them to draw and paint and do a little bit of craft in the evening after school.?
President of the National Institute of Culture and History, Yasser Musa says the museum is moving beyond simply inviting school children to tour the facility.
Yasser Musa, President, NICH
?I am very proud of the space, it?s a very colourful space. You could see from the faces of the kids how they react to this kind of space. So I think an activity corner or room like this will bring another dimension. The kids can stay longer at the museum, they can reflect more on the exhibits, and they can interact with the exhibit. I know right now they are doing things related to art and space, but I know in the future there are plans to interact with the actual photography and objects that are in the museum and how they can better understand those objects and images.?
Musa says over the past four years, the Belizean public has responded to the call for donations and loans of historical photographs and artefacts. He hopes this generosity will continue in the future.
Yasser Musa
?One of the reasons for our success is because one family, in particular the Craig Family, selflessly gave up their collection and so many thousands of people have benefited. I want to make a special appeal to others to feel free to contact the Museum of Belize, contact our director and we can engage in an exchange and work out something where we can add to our exhibits.?
Reporting for News Five, I am Karla Vernon.
Children are welcome to visit the activity room weekdays from three-thirty to five p.m. Parents should note that space is limited and children will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis. A donation of five dollars for materials is encouraged, but according to Parks no child will be turned away due to a lack of money.
