The Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Premila Kumar today met with the Board Members of the Fiji Arts Council and the Fiji Museum to discuss plans and directions for their respective organisations.
The Chair of the Fiji Arts Council, Ms. Florence Swamy updated the Minister on the work of the Council.
Minister Kumar, encouraged the Fiji Arts Council Board to propose their plans in promoting Art forms in Fiji and assured the Board that the Ministry will support the work of the Fiji Arts Council.
The Fiji Museum Board Chair, Ms. Kate Vusoniwailala also briefed the Minister on the Voyage Exhibition, Collections Audit at the Fiji Museum and philanthropic interest currently under discussions with the Board.
These strategic activities are the vision of the Board which they wish to accomplish in the future. The Board and the Director of the Fiji Museum are working with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives that will create greater visibility, engage and educate young Fijians to take advantage of their heritage.
Minister Kumar, said, “I am delighted that the Board of the Fiji Museum has set clear directions, I will appoint a few new board members who can positively contribute and add value to the current Board. For any Organisation to remain visible and relevant, it is important that they change their business dynamics with time. COVID-19 has forced a lot of organisations to bring innovative ideas and I am pleased that the Fiji Museum is adopting well to this change”.
Minister Kumar stated that the Suva City Council has plans to develop the Thurston Garden and once this upgrade is done, it will add more value to the Fiji Museum.
“I am absolutely passionate about heritage, arts and culture because this is how we learn to recognise and appreciate our own origins, while appreciating that of others we live with. This is particularly important in a multicultural society. We must share our cultures in all forms with each other to grow that strong relationship with people of all races” said the Minister.
Minister Kumar reminded both the Organisations to work towards bringing new and innovative practises, wisely use resources and relook at the current organisation structure to eliminate any duplication of work. Leaner structures with improved functionalities, optimise work flows and achieve greater growth.