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Museum plans to extend hours after renovation

The National Palace Museum plans to extend its opening hours after the museum's renovation and expansion construction is finished in 2006, its new director, Shih Shou-chien (石守謙), said yesterday.

Shih was promoted to the directorship on May 20 after serving as the museum's vice director. He said that he has worked on several museum projects, including the continuing renovation and expansion plans and the establishment of the museum's southern branch in Chiayi (嘉義).

Shih said that the museum plans to extend the current opening hours of 9am to 5pm in order to serve more visitors and researchers after the renovations are finished in 2006.

But the new schedule's exact hours and days have not been decided upon yet, Shih said.

New vice director Lin Mun-lee (林曼麗), who also has served as president of the National Culture and Arts Foundation, pointed out that France's famed Louvre museum in Paris is open into the evening until 9:45pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, which she said benefits many art students and researchers.

Lin said she also enjoyed visiting the Louvre during the extended hours.

But Shih said the longer hours will cost more for staffing and will require the hiring of additional workers, which might prove difficult in a period of tight government budgets.

"I hope the museum will stay open much later at least during weekends," Lin said.

Although the museum's main exhibition building has been closed since April, the construction only started recently due to the extensive preparation that was necessary, Shih said.

He said the construction has inconvenienced visitors, especially tourists.

"We hope our visitors can be patient and understanding about the inconvenience," the museum director said.

When asked about his future vision for the museum, Shih said that he shares the beliefs of former director Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝), now Minister of Education.

Tu's stated goal for the world-famous collection was to change the National Palace Museum from a collection of the most valuable Chinese historical relics to a museum that is more accessible and enjoyable for all of Taiwan's people.
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