Public Access – Museums & Galleries (11.2.3)

Access for the public to museums, exhibition spaces, art galleries, and cultural artifacts.

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) ensures inclusive public access to its museums, exhibition halls, design studios, galleries, and cultural display spaces as part of its commitment to Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG11).
These spaces serve as cultural and artistic hubs where students, visitors, and the wider community engage with creative works, design innovations, heritage-inspired projects, and public art exhibitions.

AAU’s public-access approach is guided by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Support Policy and the Public Arts Events Organization Procedure, which ensure that cultural events, exhibitions, and art showcases are open to the public throughout the academic year.

In addition to on-campus galleries, AAU provides cultural exposure through public workshops, national architecture exhibitions, artistic showcases, AI-driven design events, and field visits to heritage museums and archaeological sites across Jordan.
These initiatives reinforce AAU’s leadership in cultural preservation, creative expression, and public arts accessibility.

Centers and Departments:

January
01

1. Faculty of Architecture & Design

Hosts open exhibitions, student showcases, model-building displays, interior-design galleries, and architecture project presentations accessible to the public.

January
01

2. Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE)

Organizes innovation exhibitions, prototype displays, design galleries, and public shows highlighting creative and artistic technologies.

January
01

3. Arena Complex

Supports international cultural exhibitions, art exchanges, cross-border design collaborations, and multicultural showcases open to public audiences.

January
01

4. Sustainability & International Ranking Center (SIRC)

Oversees documentation of cultural-access activities, public-exhibition reporting, and publication of sustainability materials connected to AAU’s cultural mission.

January
01

5. Global Engagement Center (GEC)

Supports international cultural exhibitions, art exchanges, cross-border design collaborations, and multicultural showcases open to public audiences.

Activities:

January
01

1. Public Access to National Historical Sites (Jerash, Jabal Al-Qala’a, Al-Muwaqqar)

Students and community participants engaged in open educational visits to major historical sites, viewing cultural artifacts, architectural ruins, and heritage museums.

January
01

2. AI-Driven Design Exhibition & Creative Workshop

The Faculty of Architecture and Design organized a public workshop titled “Design Using Artificial Intelligence”, which included a gallery of AI-generated art, models, and design pieces accessible to students and the public.

January
01

3. Public Exhibition – AI in Furniture Design & Product Development

An open session showcasing AI-generated furniture designs and creative product models, allowing community members to access modern digital-design exhibitions.

January
01

4. National Workshop on Cultural & Environmental Heritage – “Women on the Green Path”

Featured cultural displays, environmental exhibitions, and public participation in heritage-centered cultural discussions.

January
01

5. Architecture & Urban Design Exhibition – Southern Corniche Project

A public-access field exhibition in Aqaba where students observed urban design displays, model galleries, and architectural exhibits related to cultural waterfront development.

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

A . Performance Evaluation

Structured Assessment Tools

AAU uses the following tools to evaluate public access to museums and galleries: • cultural-access rubrics;
• footfall tracking for exhibitions;
• visitor feedback surveys;
• accessibility audits for exhibition spaces;
• event participation metrics.

Annual Assessment Cycles

Annual evaluations track improvements in: • exhibition quality,
• visitor engagement,
• accessibility of galleries,
• cultural participation rates,
• student-community interaction in art and design events.

Quantitative & Qualitative Indicators

Indicators include: • number of public exhibitions per year;
• community attendance data;
• number of open-access cultural events;
• diversity of artistic displays;
• qualitative visitor reflections.

Integration with Curriculum

Exhibition outcomes guide curriculum enhancement in: • architecture and design studios,
• fine-arts projects,
• creative-technology practices,
• urban-cultural studies and heritage modules.

Transparency and Public Reporting

All cultural-access events are documented and published through:
• AAU Sustainability Portal
• Executive SDG11 Report
• Annual Sustainability Report 2024–2025
ensuring transparency and alignment with THE Impact requirements.

B. Development Actions

Action 1: Annual Public Arts & Cultural Exhibition Series

Expand public art exhibitions across campus museums and galleries. Target: 10 exhibitions per year.

Action 2: Museum & Gallery Accessibility Upgrade

Improve signage, lighting, pathways, and inclusive access features. Target: Full accessibility compliance by 2027.

Action 3: Community Gallery Program

Invite local artists and cultural groups to showcase their work in AAU galleries. Target: 6 community exhibitions annually.

Action 4: Digital Museum Platform

Launch an online virtual gallery displaying student works, heritage projects, and cultural artifacts. Target: Platform operational by 2026.

Action 5: Local Heritage Collaboration

Partner with museums and cultural authorities to co-host exhibitions.
Target: 3 joint exhibitions annually.

C. Benchmarking & Best Practice

AAU benchmarks its cultural-access practices against: • University of Cambridge – Public Arts & Museum Access
• University of British Columbia – Open Cultural Spaces
• University of Melbourne – Community Art Engagement
• University of Gothenburg – Cultural Identity Preservation

Best Practices Adopted

inclusive public-gallery access• cultural heritage integration
• open creative-innovation exhibitions
• transparent event reporting
• community–university cultural partnerships

Localization to Jordan’s Context

Aligned with: • Ministry of Culture Heritage Strategy
• Jordan Tourism Board cultural frameworks
• Arts & Cultural Heritage Support Policy
• Public Arts Events Organization Procedure

Future Goal (by 2028)

Establish the AAU Museum & Cultural Gallery Hub, a permanent public-access cultural center featuring rotating exhibitions, heritage showcases, and digital galleries.

Institutional Integration Summary

AAU integrates public cultural access through strong collaboration between the Faculty of Architecture and Design, CIE, Arena Complex, GEC, and SIRC.
These units collectively ensure open exhibitions, public art displays, cultural showcases, and inclusive gallery spaces—strengthening AAU’s contribution to SDG11, cultural resilience, and community cultural development.