The International Museum Day, 2020
State Bank Museum is proud to launch a virtual exhibition at the occasion of International Museum Day, 2020

International Museum Day (IMD) is an internationally celebrated event held annually on or around 18 May, coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). The event highlights a specific theme, which changes every year to reflect the basis of the international museum community's preoccupations. The IMD provides the opportunity for museum professionals to interact with the public and inform them as to the challenges that museums face.

ICOM says: Museums have no borders they have a network

ICOM selects each year for International Museum Day a theme that is at the heart of the concerns of society.

The theme 2020 – Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion

Museum already increased its presence on social media, Facebook, Instagram, twitter, where virtual tour, 3D tour, google cultural space links etc. were made interactive, and requested the visitors to feel free for the objects or tours to be seen of their choice.

In the meantime, the International Museum Day was approaching; this day celebrated by the Museum in a grand way by arranging special exhibition, lecture, etc.

How to celebrate Museum Day in this pandemic? Museum planned for a virtual exhibition with an appeal to donate the objects used during pandemic lockdown. Even though the State Bank museum closed for visitors, it found itself faced with a rare opportunity to grow its collection. A chance for all of us to witness history while it is happening.

Museum requested for donations of art, journals, and scrapbooks documenting life under COVID 19, homemade masks or any other item made/used during lock down time. Now, as businesses are closed, physical distancing is the law and the city of Karachi and Pakistan is under a state of emergency due to COVID-19.

We believe these items will be precious for the coming generations to remember, the experience the world is going through in 2020.We are experiencing history, it is the job of the Museums to record and preserve this history for coming generations.

The response was amazing; the Museum poured with messages, short video clips, photos and a lot more. In times of suffering, we are happy to play a role in history by taking down their stories for future generation.

Summer Camp of State Bank Museum:
Since 2012, every year Museum arranges summer camp, attended by at least 300 kids of employees of State Bank and B.SC., age group of 5 to 15 years. Unfortunately, due to pandemic this year we were not be able to do so.

Museum did not want the kids to feel sad and confuse about the bad times the world How these kids can have a feel of the Museum? How to explain why we cannot have them with us this summer?

One of our main objective was to build the memories, good one with the kids who are under the lock down. Therefore, a special section of this virtual exhibition is devoted for kids, I must say kids were real enthusiast and enjoyed to participate. Parents were requested to initiate recordings of short clips regarding the experiences of kids during lock down period.

A questionnaire was developed and distributed for the guidance of parents. Having questions such as given below:
1. How do they feel?
2. What do they understand of this epidemic?
3. Are they missing school?
4. Do they enjoy online studies?
5. Are they missing the summer camp activity?

These video clippings and the objects made by/used by all as part of the exhibition with the names will eventually go down as part of history for future generation.

A little bit about the Exhibition:
1. Photography
2. Stories/letter/poetry
3. Videos
4. Videos - SBP Museum Summer Camp Kids
5. Lockdown Items & Artwork

There are photos paired with the stories of the families (as per wish of the donor).

The State Bank Museum is always striving hard to be at par with the Museums around the world, in this regard participated in a webinar session held to celebrate the International Museum Day (presentation of the Director Museum included in the exhibition).

YouTube Link for Access for ALL's Global ZOOM Webinar on 'Museum Inclusion in times of Social Isolation': ICOM India - IMD 2020

The State Bank Museum really appreciate the cooperation of all the parents, kids and friends of the Museum, who encouraged kids for this exhibition.

Our special thanks goes to the Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Dr. Reza Baqjr, Deputy Governor, Murtaza Syed for their encouragement and full support for making this exhibition possible. The Museum would also like to acknowledge the team from ERD (External Relation Dept.) for their full support. The Museum team worked hard to make this virtual exhibition very special, unique and memorable.

Dr. Asma Ibrahim
Director
Museum, Archives & Art Gallery
State Bank of Pakistan