In a bid to enhance themselves historically and academically, museums across the country should start acknowledging private donations in a big way said Dr. Giles Tillotson while delivering the 7th National Museum lecture here last week.
Tillotson who is a former reader at University of London and ex-director of the Royal Asiatic Society further noted that, 'Public collections can best be enriched and enhanced by private donations and that it can also be prospective and suggestive of policies for the future.'
The 54-yr-old expert further opined that adding acquisitions could broaden or complement existing holdings and thus attract the attention of scholars and engage the general public. Drawing reference to the inability of the government to furnish the museums with collections alone, he further emphasized on the role of private donations by saying, 'There may be public bodies but no institution ever flourished on public funding alone. This is a situation that cries out for private contributions, for a partnership with individuals.'
Lamenting on past instances of no recognition having been given to private donations, Tillotson observed that the situation was happily improving and that more could be expected from the authorities. He further suggested, that to create a sense of participation and enhance more donations, names of the donors could be inscribed or painted on walls.
Tillotson is the co-curator of an ongoing exhibition of heritage objects at the National Museum, donated by octogenarian collector C L Bharany in 1976.
Tillotson who is a former reader at University of London and ex-director of the Royal Asiatic Society further noted that, 'Public collections can best be enriched and enhanced by private donations and that it can also be prospective and suggestive of policies for the future.'
The 54-yr-old expert further opined that adding acquisitions could broaden or complement existing holdings and thus attract the attention of scholars and engage the general public. Drawing reference to the inability of the government to furnish the museums with collections alone, he further emphasized on the role of private donations by saying, 'There may be public bodies but no institution ever flourished on public funding alone. This is a situation that cries out for private contributions, for a partnership with individuals.'
Lamenting on past instances of no recognition having been given to private donations, Tillotson observed that the situation was happily improving and that more could be expected from the authorities. He further suggested, that to create a sense of participation and enhance more donations, names of the donors could be inscribed or painted on walls.
Tillotson is the co-curator of an ongoing exhibition of heritage objects at the National Museum, donated by octogenarian collector C L Bharany in 1976.