via Independent Observer, 12 October 2023: The recent fire at the Indonesian National Museum has led to renewed discussions about the role of public-private partnerships in preserving cultural heritage. Despite the tragedy, there is a silver lining as collectors and philanthropists express willingness to donate artifacts and funds. The article suggests that this could be an opportune moment to foster greater collaboration between the government and private sector, especially in light of the proactive roles played by current cultural ministers Nadiem Makarim and Hilmar Farid.
What is heartening in all of this, is that on social media and collectors’ chat groups (especially ceramics and textile groups), collectors have begun voicing the desire to donate ceramics and textiles from their collections to help replace artifacts that may have been destroyed by the fire. Many of these collectors are well-off individuals with extremely valuable collections that they have been putting together most of their lives and in the process, many have also become experts on the subject, frequently with knowledge and experience surpassing even that of the museum staff, experts and curators.
In the past, I have heard collectors mention how their children frequently lack interest in their collections and that as they grow older, they would like to leave their collections to the Museum but that they were worried their collections would not be safe at the Museum or that they would not continue to have access to their collections during their lifetime.
