If you love culture, history and art, there are probably few things more satisfying than spending time in the hallowed spaces of some of the world’s most acclaimed museums. These sanctuaries of knowledge and heritage invite visitors to take a step back in time and gain fresh perspectives on everything from ancient civilisations and classical masterpieces to complex conflicts, global cultures and the modern world.
While museums vary in size, shape and purpose, they are bound by a common core mission: to preserve and interpret a material aspect of our cultural consciousness for the benefit of all people. As such, they are an essential part of our shared heritage, and we need to ensure their long-term survival.
Museums have long been an agent of change in society, fostering cultural diversity and inspiring public awareness and understanding. They do so by research, collecting, conserving and interpreting objects, buildings and sites. They are open to all, operate ethically and professionally and communicate their work to a wide audience.
Over the past century, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of museums, with new types of institutions and innovative ideas emerging. These include open-air museums, which display historic landscapes as they would have been seen in the past, and ecomuseums, which interpret all aspects of an outdoor environment. In addition, museums have moved away from a sole focus on physical buildings and are now increasingly engaged in developing online resources and virtual exhibitions.
Major professional organizations from around the world offer differing definitions of what a museum is, but all are united by two key factors: a commitment to the preservation and interpretation of objects and the creation of spaces that promote public understanding of those objects. Museums are also committed to a public service role and to being transparent in their governance and operations.
As museums evolved, a body of theory developed that came to be known as museology. This theory has helped shape many aspects of museum practice, from exhibition design to collections management. Museums continue to adapt as they respond to the needs of their communities, and new technologies have brought further changes.
There are several ways to support a museum, from making donations to volunteering. Each museum has its own unique requirements, so it’s best to contact the institution directly for further information.
Museums employ thousands of staff across the globe, from curators to security. Facilities managers keep the building clean and safe, while registrars are responsible for managing collections. This includes knowing the location of every object and ensuring it is protected, whether it’s on display or in storage.
There are more than 30,000 museums in the world, and each one tells its own unique story. To get a sense of the sheer size and scope of museums, consider this: Paris’s Louvre holds the title of biggest museum in the world by floor space (if you spent 30 seconds in each room it would take more than 100 days to see all the artwork). In second place is New York’s Metropolitan Museum with over 2 million square feet.