All you need to know about the somali meaum
Somali Museum is a new virtual and physical container that tells the many varied stories of Somalia and Somali people in the UK and beyond. The Somali Museum radically reimagines what a ‘museum’ is and what it can do. Combining an art gallery, library, archive, museum, dance studio and cultural centre into one space, the Somali Museum collapses traditional museum models and their colonial conception – becoming a home where stories of past, present and futures can grow and flourish.
The Somali Museum endeavours to contextualise Somali stories found in archives and collections in other museums; challenging and reinterpreting received narratives of our history, allowing us to think again about how these stories relate to our present circumstances. The Somali Museum is a space for open dialogue and imaginatio
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FILM
MUSIC
LITERATURE
CROSS ARTS
VISUAL ARTS
Over the next five years, we will secure, develop and open the first Somali museum in the UK. This plan sees us secure the lease of 12 Cable Street, the site of the last remaining Somali Cafes in the area, the once the epi-centre of the Somali community in the UK therefore securing a vital heritage site.
The museum will create, incubate and cultivate containers where stories of past, present and futures can grow and flourish. We will radically reimagine what a ‘museum’ is and what it can do. Collapsing the traditional model, we’ll create not only a museum but also an art gallery, dance studio and community cultural centre in one cohesive sphere: the Somali Museum.
Curiosity leads thought
Somali Museum is not and could never be a definitive space for all the Somali histories. We are committed to re-evaluating received history, centreing curiosity for what it is not yet know - and may never be known.
We are keen to hear from artists of all decipline who are keen to express their art through etc. Do not hestiate to contact us on email@
The Somali community have, had and continue to be subjected to brutalising experiences, The Somali Museum creates unique opportunities for healing. Through storytelling, giving voice and cultivating community, the museum will be a space to empower, restore and heal.
There are many stories that make up ‘Somali’, we are committed to dialogue and sharing in a diversity of narrations, to create fragrant healing spaces for anyone who chooses to take part in the Somali Museum.
We are committed to an open dialogue as to how to best protect our stories. To be in constant conversation to record and retain (ammanah) to these emergent histories.
The Somali Museum is for Somali peoples and all peoples, however they understand themselves. With inclusion at its heart, the Museum welcomes all people, regardless of geographic borders, Qabil (tribalism), religion or religious adherence, conceits of ableism, sexual orientation, gender identification, class or any category used to impose value or justify violence against someone.
We will be innovative in our curatorial approach and will actively be in critical dialogue with received museum practices to meet our niyyah (aims and intentions). To be in critical dialogue with museum practices and be innovative in our curatorial practices to meet our niyyah (aims and intentions) .
To support an understanding of a community that does not anchor itself on geographic borders, Qabil (tribalism), religion or religious adherence, conceits of ableism, sexual orientation, gender identification, class or any other category used to impose value or to justify violence against someone.
MORE THAN 15,000
MEMBERS
3 MILLION VISITORS
MORE THAN 5.500
COLLECTION
DAILY TICKET
SALES
2018 Original acrylic on paper
2019 Original acrylic on paper
2021 Original acrylic on paper
The Museum of London would like to thank our annual giving group for their fantastic support. The Museum of London would like to thank our annual giving group for their fantastic support. The Museum of London oup for their fantastic support.
Christine and Philip Miles
Sally Morris-Smmith
Sir Peter and Lady Osborne
Eric and Maxine Reynolds
David Royce
The museum would also like to thank those donors who wish to remain anonymous.
