Review Mpu Tantular Museum, Minister of Culture Fadli Minta Tata Pamer Diperkuat

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture (Menbud), Fadli Zon, emphasized that museums must be a living cultural space, not just a place to store collections. He conveyed this message when reviewing the Mpu Tantular State Museum, East Java, Saturday, February 21.

Fadli checked the collection, facilities, and opportunities for the development of the museum as a center for education and cultural activities. This museum stores representations of the history and civilization of East Java. The collection covers prehistoric to colonial times.

The Mpu Tantular Museum was previously located in Surabaya. Since 2004, the museum has occupied a new location in Sidoarjo. The area is about three hectares. The total collection is around 15 thousand. About 1,100 collections are exhibited for the public.

A number of outstanding collections have been designated as national cultural treasures. Among others, Garudeya-motif jewelry, Durga Mahisasuramardhini sculpture, and Homo erectus fossils from Ngawi.

"Mpu Tantular State Museum, a fairly large museum with an area of around three hectares. Here there are many collections that in their history were founded by a Dutch figure named (G.H) Von Faber. This very valuable collection is very important to be maintained," said Fadli.

He appreciated the status of the Mpu Tantular Museum which has again become a type A museum. However, he emphasized that the status improvement must be followed by the improvement of the presentation of the collection. The focus is on the narrative and visitor experience.

"With an extraordinary collection, we need a strong storyline, a strong narrative, a strong literacy. Revitalization on the aspect of exhibition management is an important need so that the museum is more attractive to the younger generation," he said. He also touched on the need for lighting and arranging exhibition spaces.

In addition to the display, Fadli highlighted the development of creative products from the museum's collection. He called merchandise important. Museum collections, he said, can become Intellectual Property (IP). For example, the Garudeya motif and other collection objects.

Fadli hopes that the museum will develop as an education center, information center, and cultural activity space. He encourages collaboration between the central government, regions, and the private sector for revitalization.

According to him, central government support can be through non-physical programs. Including educational activities and museum development through special allocation funds. He also encourages the involvement of the private sector and philanthropists. This collaborative model, he said, has already shown results in the development of museums and national cultural heritage.