Forget WFH, Experience Working From A Museum

Bengaluru-based freelance content writer Manvendra Singh sits glued to his laptop,&nbspbusy at work under a canopy of mango trees, accompanied by soothing music and lush green surroundings. 

Only, he is not in a cafe.&nbspHe is working from Indian Music Experience Museum (IME) located in the bustling suburb of JP Nagar. India&rsquos first interactive music museum is now a great work space option.&nbspIt opened its doors for working professionals this February. The initiative called WFM (work from museum) has seen several young professionals coming to the place for a different experience.

And it is a nice change for people working from home or cafes. &ldquoThis place breaks the monotonous lifestyle that comes with a WFH option," says 28-year-old Singh. "I was exhausted sitting inside my home all day and just working. I even tried to work from cafes and co-working spaces, but it is not all that convenient. There's a lot of noise and the space is packed with constant disturbances by the staff for orders. Moreover, they are quite expensive. When I heard about WFM, I immediately signed up for this. Today&nbspis my second week working here and the experience is amazing.&rdquo

The museum's open spaces double as a workstation now, with the capacity to accommodate about 15 to 20 people. If the&nbspnumber of visitors increase,&nbspthey can open up another set-up of three rooms, consisting of cubicles that can accommodate at least five people. 

While working, one can&nbsptake a break and explore the museum, listen to music, view the artworks and musical instruments on display. 

An added bonus - IME is great for celebrity spotting. They recently had Bollywood actor Ashish Vidyarthi, Kannada film director Chaitanya and musician Vasuki Vaibhav, and dancer Madhu Natraj visit the premises, so you never know which creative person you may bump into.

&ldquoI have been fond of music since childhood. So when I came across this place on social media, I immediately registered myself to work from the museum premises," says Sabya Mukherjee, city-based HR. "The staff is really cooperative, a WiFi connection and good food is all a person needs to be comfortable at the workstation. It has been over a month since I have been working from the museum and it has been worthwhile.&rdquo 

From creamy chicken cheese sandwiches to lip-smacking chaat, and a specially curated authentic South Indian menu, the museum has a variety of food options.

&ldquoI was looking for a space where I can finish my target at work and also feel relaxed. IME is just that perfect spot," says Ritu Bansal, a marketing manager. "After finishing up the work I also explore the sound garden here.&rdquo 

The sound garden has eleven installations made entirely from natural materials, the installations create different sounds and music. There&rsquos the Humming Stone, which creates music when you stick your head in it and hum. There are also xylophones and railings where you can invoke the inner Beethoven in you.

Run by a non-profit initiative supported by the Brigade Group, the museum promises to introduce the youth to the diversity of Indian music and to preserve India&rsquos rich musical heritage. Since its inception in 2019, the museum has had over 45,000 visitors in-person and many thousands more online. 

&ldquoWork-from-museum is a new concept at the IME, where we welcome freelance professionals to come and work from the museum as an alternative to the work-from-home or work from a co-working space model," says Manasi Prasad, Museum Director. "We believe the space is ideally suited for an inspiring and creative work environment, because it is part of a beautiful and aesthetically designed museum, with greenery and calmness all around." 

The spaces where people can work are the open-air cafe (it has a roof but is open on the sides), and also cubicles in the Learning Centre if people need an indoor space. It is ideal for creative people - graphic designers, artists, writers, bloggers etc. and also techies and other professionals.

Till now, WFM has had more than 250 members signing up. This initiative not only extends a helping hand to the working people by providing them with an alternate space but also attempts to reach out to a large number of people in the city. This changing approach of museums in society will encourage people to engage with the aesthetics of art and culture. 

&ldquoThis concept also allows for a completely new set of people to experience the museum and what it has to offer. So, yes, we are reaching out to more people, albeit through word of mouth of those who have opted to work from the museum,&rdquo adds Prasad.

The Information

Cost Rs 250 per head for a day
Features Working space, WiFi connection, museum entry, parking, charging points
Timings 10 am- 6pm
Registration bookmyshow.com&nbspor spot registration.