Teaching Thai Textile Heritage: The Role Of The QSMT

Museum of our Own: In search of a local museology for Asia
Department of Archaeology Universitas Gadjah
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 18th-20th November 2014
TEACHING THAI TEXTILE HERITAGE: THE ROLE OF THE QSMT

Ms. Sarttarat Muddin
Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles, Bangkok, thailand

The Queen Sirikit Museum of Textiles was established on May 9, 2012 and is located in the Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand. Our mission is to be an institution for preservation, exhibition, research, and public education about the textiles and costumes of ASEAN countries, with a special emphasis on Thailand. Currently our museum has three exhibitions about HMQ Artistry in Silk: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit Creates a New Royal Style, Fashioning Tradition: A Modern National Dress for Thailand, For the Love of Her People: Her Majesty Queen Sirikit Creates the SUPPORT Foundation

In addition, the QSMT also provides educational programs for students in four grade levels. For next year the museum is planning its first traveling exhibition to various places in Thailand. In addition, we plan to create a Resource Kit for schools to support learning. This Resource Kit will also have a pocket book, exercises and games. An instructor can bring this set to teach his or her students in the classroom or invite educators from the QSMT to train the students at their school. Moreover, the QSMT also has monthly lectures, seminars and workshops with well-known textile specialists. There are also special events related to festivals and holidays.

Because we believe “the Museum” is the knowledge center for those who wish to learn about history, society and culture of a country. Especially for students, the museum is also outside the classroom where they can open their mind and have a new experience, gain new knowledge, and expand their imagination.