Enviro News Asia, Jakarta — Indonesia and the United States are deepening cultural cooperation in the museum sector through a long-term partnership between Indonesia’s Museum and Cultural Heritage authority and the National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
The collaboration builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2023, which established a framework for strengthening the capacity of Indonesian museums through knowledge exchange, sharing of best practices, and joint programs.
As part of the agreement, the Museum Capacity Building Workshop will take place from June 22 to 26, 2026, at the National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta. The program will bring together around 30 participants from various institutions, including the National Museum of Indonesia, National Gallery of Indonesia, Indonesian Batik Museum, Basoeki Abdullah Museum, National Awakening Museum, Youth Pledge Museum, Balai Kirti Presidential Museum, conservation laboratories, regional cultural heritage management units, and the Indonesian Heritage Agency.
The workshop will address key issues in museum management, including exhibition development, research-based conservation, digital technology utilization, and strategies to enhance public engagement.
A team from the National Museum of Asian Art will travel from Washington to share expertise across different fields. Curator Dr. Emma Stein will discuss research-based approaches to Southeast Asian art and curatorial practices. Erin Bryan will focus on audience development and visitor experience, while Hutomo Wicaksono will support international partnerships and institutional cooperation. Jenifer Bosworth will provide insights into digital media, content development, and expanding online public access.
Beyond Jakarta, the delegation will visit Puro Mangkunegaran in Surakarta, Borobudur Temple, Prambanan Temple, and the ArtJog exhibition in Yogyakarta to gain a deeper understanding of Indonesia’s cultural heritage and contemporary art landscape.
During a meeting at the Smithsonian Institution on June 11, Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Indroyono Soesilo described the partnership as an important component of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy efforts on the global stage.
National Museum of Asian Art Director Dr. Chase Robinson said the collaboration aims to transform museums into dynamic living spaces that connect the past, present, and future while expanding cross-cultural access through knowledge and technology.
The initiative reflects growing efforts by both countries to strengthen cultural ties and promote museums as centers of learning, innovation, and international dialogue. (*)
