A unique museum in a unique neighbourhood, Museon-Omniversum Southwest, in the Bouwlust district of The Hague, could well be the museum of the future. A participatory museum where discovery, research and design are central.
The Lab
In a shop building in the middle of a neighbourhood with socio-economic challenges in The Hague, you will find the Museon-Omniversum Southwest, an annexe of the science museum Museon-Omniversum.
In a Lab-like setting, the curiosity of children from the neighbourhood is stimulated. By experimenting with different materials and techniques, they explore their talents. Meanwhile, the Lab itself is also an experiment; this is where Museon-Omniversum Southwest, formerly known as MuseumLab, investigates how a museum can remain relevant in a changing society.
"The Museon has 120 years of experience in education. Yet we decided to go all the way back to basics in this neighbourhood; museums are there to let people discover the world. Together with the residents, we look at what is needed to let the children in this neighbourhood discover the world."
The Hague Southwest
Bouwlust is a neighbourhood in the The Hague Southwest area. This area is in transition. In one of the Netherlands' largest inner-city area developments, some 2,000 (social) houses will be pulled down and 3,000 social housing units will be built in their place. An additional 2,500 owner-occupied and rented homes will also be built. The development is a collaboration between housing corporation Staedion, property developer Heijmans and the municipality of The Hague. A unique feature is that the housing corporation is collaborating with a museum (Museon-Omniversum) on the new district's facilities programme.
"All of Museon-Omniversum Southwest's educational activities are based on discovery, research and design-based learning. We mainly say to the children: make the most of your talent! This does not mean that everyone should become a top footballer, but that you discover which activities suit you naturally and please you. One person can design well, another is good at building things and yet another creates smooth cooperation. We help children discover the things they are good at and how they can use those skills in the future. Because the future belongs to all of us!"
From vibrating robots to plastic recycling workshops
The Museon-Omniversum Southwest has a programme three days a week. On Wednesday afternoons, 25-40 children weekly gather to work with all kinds of materials. They are given a concrete assignment, but with plenty of freedom. For instance, they recently made their vibrating robot, including a power circuit. And of course, the next week they wanted to do a contest between the different vibration robots. The plastic recycling workshop also brought out a lot of creativity.
Multilingual children
Museon-Omniversum Southwest participates in Multi-STEM, a research project that aims to promote the participation of multilingual children in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. At the upcoming exhibition in Museon-Omniversum Southwest, the children will create signs in multiple languages to accompany their art objects. They will also host their own tours -in multiple languages - of the exhibition.
"In less than two years, we have become part of the neighbourhood. That was not even very difficult. The most important thing is that you are always present with a fixed team of people: that's how you make contacts step by step. We soon discovered how cool this neighbourhood is and how involved the parents are. We now work together with various initiatives, such as the neighbourhood room, the creative Muslim club, the Moroccan mothers, the library and ROC Mondriaan".
New location
Housing corporation Staedion recently announced that Museon-Omniversum Southwest will have a permanent location in the renovated neighbourhood. In the coming period, it will become more and more clear how Museon-Omniversum Southwest can be of value in a neighbourhood in transition and what the role of a museum might be in the future. The Hague likes to be an inspiration to other cities in this respect as much as Museon-Omniversum Southwest is here to stay.
"Museon-Omniversum Southwest is more than just a cultural space—it’s a place where creativity and opportunity come together. Teaching technical skills combined with accessibility to art and culture helps people develop new skills, build confidence, and connect with each other. In The Hague Southwest, where opportunities aren’t always evenly spread, this museum plays a crucial role in inspiring and empowering the community, driving real social and economic change."
About The Hague Southwest region
In this region many organisations and initiatives are taking place to provide opportunities to develop education, work and economy, housing and living environment, safety, health and vitality, social cohesion and participation to the citizens with a disadvantaged background. To achieve these opportunities a 20-year plan, the National Program Southwest is created. So far hard work is being done in this region. This is only possible if everyone works together. Residents, entrepreneurs, social partners, the government and the municipality. Residents are very important in this. They know each other and the neighbourhoods best, and know what is needed. That is why residents can think along and participate. For example with projects such as the Participation Kitchen, the Mixed Vegetable Garden, Allekanten, KIES! and the neighbourhood rooms.
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