Part museum, part cultural center, Bët-bi is meant to meet the distinct needs of its community in rural Senegal: bringing “the joys of visual art to a population that may not previously have had access to museums.” And that mission is embedded in its name, which means “the eye” in Wolof, a language native to the region. Launched by the albers_foundation and its sister organization le_korsa, the museum will showcase both contemporary and historic art. Yet what truly separates this project is how it aims to bring the community into the space through accessible, open areas, including a place for local artisans to showcase and sell their work. “For far too long, our region has been a place where cultural wealth is pillaged to profit museum collections,” says Nigerian architect Mariam Issoufou Kamara, founder of Atelier Masōmī, the studio designing the center. “This project is an opportunity to design a new type of space inspired by the roots and spiritual legacy of the region.” The ...