The new entrance area "puzzle"
In the anniversary year for the Museum of Fine Arts and for Karelia Republic we not only underwent a global renovation of the facade and the replacement of 100 windows, but also carried out a set of measures to modernize the entrance area of the museum. The atmosphere of the hall always makes the first unforgetable impression on visitors! The Museum of Fine Arts of Karelia has not renovated its hall for over 20 years. During this time, the way of life has changed, new materials and technical capabilities have appeared, the fashion for interior design has changed.
More than 50 thousands of guests from all over the world visit the museum annually. And when the borders were suddenly closed due to the pandemic and the museum got up for renovation, it was a good moment to modernize the entrance area to create a comfortable environment for guests, as well as special conditions for receiving Chinese tourists, the flow of which, according to forecasts, will multiply.
The main goal of the modernization is to visually expand the hall, transform the checkout area, make the wardrobe more compact and functional, expand the area for exhibiting souvenirs and prepare the space for the introduction of elements of convenient and understandable navigation on three languages - Russian, English and Chinese. A design project was prepared in the summer, and September became a hot spot to actualize the "beautiful picture". An individual project requires an individual approach, and the unique design equipment cannot be purchased from one supplier. We turned to a number of Karelian companies to create a comprehensive solution. Such a project-based approach in increasing the tourist attractiveness of the object generates a multiplier effect, involving many organizations in its implementation. Thus, by developing the museum, we help local small business to develop and leave the funds received for the implementation of the project in our own region.
Watching the repair and installation process is exciting. Each stage is a small victory on our way to creating a renewed space. Any project always has deadlines to follow, both for successful implementation and for reporting to the grantor, and this depends on effective management.
Such innovations in the Museum of Fine Arts of Karelia became possible thanks to the KA9021 project “Museums in Focus: Development of Cultural Services for Chinese Tourists” (CBC “Karelia” 2014-2020, funded by the European Union, Finland and Russia), aimed at creating museum services and products for Chinese tourists at the regional level.