Abstract:
The role of Museums and Galleries cannot be over emphasized as a means of survival to the Nigerian art education. Despite their importance, they still suffer neglect and rejection in the hands of the Nigerians. Museums and Galleries has not been given it proper placement as a promotional tool to our art education. This study is a descriptive survey within south-south Nigeria to appraise the effectiveness of these museums and galleries in the promotion of art education in south-south Nigeria from 2003-2013. A questionnaire was used and lecturers in the Department of Fine and Applied Arts of University of Benin, Edo State and Federal College of Education (Tech) Omoku, Rivers State and Museums and Galleries Staff of Benin, Edo State and Rivers State form the respondents. Data used was structured questionnaire in form of “Yes” or “No”, result shows that museums and galleries in south-south Nigeria from 2003-2013 had failed to discharge their duties as expected. . The study further enlists the followings and many others as recommendations: School authorities should make visits to Museum and Galleries by the fine and applied art students a must at least twice in a year, Government should review Nigeria curriculum on fine and applied arts to suit the current situation of contemporary art. Emphasis should be laid on exploitation of Museum and Galleries to improve students’ awareness on art, particularly African contemporary art and its usefulness to the society, all higher institution in Nigeria should also establish Museum/Galleries attach to fine arts.
