Museums house many of the world’s most important art and historical objects. They can be as large as the Louvre or as small as a family home. Some museums charge an entrance fee, others are free. Many museums are owned by government agencies or local councils, while others are private and run for profit. Museums are found around the globe, from a medieval castle to an Egyptian pyramid. They range from must-see paintings to prehistoric skeletons and technological marvels.
Museums have been around since ancient times, when religious groups collected sacred artwork and artifacts. They became more widely available in the 1800s when Europeans began building collections and creating museums, often out of existing historic buildings. Many of the world’s most famous museums today began as private collections, including the British Museum in London and the Louvre in Paris.
Many museums focus on a specific art form, such as painting, sculpture, or architecture. Other museums specialize in a particular type of object, such as archaeology or natural history. Many museums also have a strong educational component and strive to educate the public about the history, culture, or natural science of their topic.
Some museums do not have any physical objects, and instead rely on a story or experience to convey their message. These types of museums are sometimes called “museum experiences.” Some examples include the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C. Other museums have very few physical artifacts, and instead rely on a strong narrative or information to tell their story. These museums are sometimes called “museum-without-objects.”
There are many different types of museum. Each has its own unique purpose and mission, but they all share the common goal of preserving, researching, and presenting their collections to the public. Museums are organized into several different categories according to their governing body, location, size, and function. They are also classified according to the type of objects they hold.
Museum planning is the process of developing a vision for a museum and developing the resources, organizational structure, and experiences needed to realize this vision. This process includes a feasibility study, analysis of comparable facilities, and an interpretive plan.
Some museums are nonprofit organizations, which means that they are tax exempt and don’t pay taxes. Other museums are for-profit, and their money is used to cover operating expenses and investments in the collection. Some museums are created by a single person or entity, while others are part of an association of museums or a network of museums. The most important distinction is that the for-profit museums are privately owned and operated by their owners or shareholders, while the nonprofit museums are publicly-owned and managed. The Museums and Galleries Association of America (MGA) is the largest professional membership organization for museums in the United States. The association provides support for museums through research, advocacy, and professional development.