Paper short abstract:

This paper argues that African museums and theatres would be better patronized by locals if they meaningfully contribute to addressing topical issues such as climate change. It proposes a model with which both institutions can create awareness on climate change through the services they offer. This model is applicable in other contexts.

Paper long abstract:

Museums and theatres are important cultural institutions with enormous benefits for the communities they serve. As custodians of a people’s cultural heritage (both tangible and intangible), their importance cannot be overemphasized. While development of the people is one of the cardinal points of both intuitions, African museums and theatres are yet to record much successes within communities they serve unlike their Euro-American counterparts. Perhaps, this is mainly because the museum and theatre concepts are western hence, the typical African does not see the need to visit and subsequently, benefit from the range of services they offer. It is in this light that this paper argues that African museums and theatres would be better patronized by locals if they meaningfully contribute to addressing topical issues such as climate change. Furthermore, it explores ways the Borno State Museum and Open Air theatre can tap into the potentials of each other for mutual benefit. It is important to mention that both intuitions stand beside each other in Maiduguri, the Borno State, capital. The paper adopts qualitative research methodology; Focus group discussions, interviews and review of scholarly articles for data collection. Among the assumed findings of this paper is a model that creates room for theatre audiences to be better informed about climate change and its attendant adverse effect through music, dance and drama; as well as ways the museum can create awareness on climate change through the ethnographic collections in their care. The model is transferable in other contexts such as conflict and gender equality.