Yayasan Jalin Narasi Budaya, the nonprofit arm of Southeast Asia Museum Services, has launched the Indonesian Museums Documentation Project known as "Koleksi Kita." The project was introduced at the National Museum of Indonesia on July 17. It is funded by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta through the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and aims to support 12 museums in preserving collections and expanding public access to Indonesia's cultural heritage. These include the National Museum of Indonesia and 11 museums managed by the Jakarta Provincial Culture Agency.
The launch event featured a seminar titled “Enhancing Museum Documentation for the Preservation and Access to Cultural Collections in Indonesia.” Participants included Karen Karyadi from the Getty Conservation Institute, independent curator Farah Wardani, and representatives from local cultural institutions. The seminar addressed museum documentation's role in disaster preparedness, conservation, and public engagement.
"Culture has to be the face of Indonesia," said Deputy Minister of Culture Giring Ganesha. "Museums, national galleries, festivals of cultures, movies, and movie theaters have to be most up front. That is why museum documentation is very important."
Linda Enriany from the Jakarta Provincial Culture Agency highlighted that this collaboration brings together Jakarta’s museums under a shared documentation framework. She stated it would improve staff capacity and connect collections with a broader audience.
Peter M. Haymond from the U.S. Embassy expressed pride in supporting this effort: "Through this project, we are working to bring American excellence – best practices in museum documentation – to Jakarta."
The AFCP supports cultural heritage preservation worldwide including historic buildings and traditional cultural expressions. In recent years, it has aided projects such as preserving local languages and culinary traditions across Indonesia.
More information about Koleksi Kita can be found at www.koleksikita.id.