There are changes afoot at the City of Cape Town’s Parow and Goodwood museums. Both museums were established in the early 1990s and house a vast array of local heritage and historical items, but dwindling visitor numbers mean creative ways must be found to make optimal use of these spaces. The City has called for residents to weigh in on how to best make use of the space at the two museums.

The City of Cape Town is considering changing and expanding the functions of the Parow and Goodwood museums, including finding ways to make optimal use of the space. This is in line with the City’s Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Policy. Both properties belong to the City of Cape Town and are managed by the Arts and Culture Department.

‘The Parow and Goodwood museums were established in the early 1990s when local residents expressed a desire to preserve their history and heritage.

 

‘However, dwindling visitor numbers mean that we have to reconsider how we can make use of the space. Previously, the two museums mainly focused on the history of the local suburbs but in the last two decades the demographics of Parow and Goodwood have changed and so have the needs of its residents.

 

‘We want these spaces to become dynamic cultural venues that engage residents and serve as community hubs rather than places that are visited only once in a while,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Economic Development, Councillor Garreth Bloor.

 

The artefacts in the museums will remain in safe-keeping and some will be transferred to other libraries to ensure public access.

 

To ensure inclusivity, residents are asked to be part of the re-imagining of the museum spaces by sending suggestions or proposals for their use, including alternative cultural use, to Cultural.Spaces@capetown.gov.za before 29 February 2016.

 

For further information, residents should please call 021 417 0142.

 

The space within the building will also be available for hire by community organisations.