Remember how excited you were to go on a field trip to the museum as a kid? The first thing on your mind was probably, “Yeah, no class!,” but a big part of the appeal was the thought of going on an adventure. And art’s all about exploration—in fact, that’s why we celebrate Go to an Art Museum Day on November 9. More than 30,000 museums around the world participate, and each year even has a different theme. So today, go to a museum and discover something new! And if you can’t go to a museum yourself, you can always explore art online and read articles by some of the top art journalists.
Go to an Art Museum Day timeline
Leonardo da Vinci painted his masterpiece - the Mona Lisa, which is "the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world."
The Louvre - the world's largest art museum, opens in Paris, France.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York City, or better known as 'The Met,' is the largest art museum in the United States.
Moving from classical art, MoPOP- the Museum of Pop Culture, was created as a dedicated museum for contemporary popular culture.
Go to an Art Museum Day Activities
Share your experiences on social media
Pictures make up a huge part of social media (memes, anyone?). So on a day that celebrates visuals, there's no shame in going on a share binge. And don't be shy about getting creative. Add captions, filters, or anything that gets the juices flowing. But be sure to follow museum regulations and tag your law-abiding posts with #ArtMusuemDay.
Go to an art museum
We know it's a novel idea to go an art museum on Go to an Art Museum Day, but what can we say? We're mavericks. The best part about this innovative idea is that there are so many ways to enjoy it. You can go with family, friends, coworkers, or by yourself. Each offers a unique benefit, be it stimulating discussion or quiet repose. Whichever you choose, you'll find something worthwhile to walk away with. Hopefully it's not the art itself, because that could get dicey.
Pick up a book on art
With a bunch of museums holding special activities and offering discounts, things can get crowded. If literally rubbing elbows isn't your speed, you can still join in on the festivities. Drop by a library or bookstore and pick up a book on art. It might not be the same as seeing a print in person, but you do have the advantage of reading everything at your leisure.
Why We Love Go to an Art Museum Day
It lets us be a tourist in our own city
It's easy to take the place where you live for granted. However, although we might not associate our everyday surroudings with getting away from it all, a little staycation action can go a long way. Visiting an art museum can take us to a different world, or, if the museum is local, show us how cool our cities really are. We're not saying a beach in the Caribbean's a bad thing, but we could all use a refresher that's closer to home.
We love learning
Ever read the museum’s placard about a painting? It's packed full of intriguing info. There isn't always time to read everything, but it's amazing how much you can learn in a single visit. This gives us ammo for any wine and cheese party, as well as the all-important trivia night. Most of all, it feels good to end a lesisurely day with a sense of accomplishment.
It gives us time to clear our heads
Sometimes it's nice to turn off your phone and focus on something that's right in front of you. Looking at a piece of art and letting your thoughts drift can be really therapeutic. Many of our stressors melt away as we try to figure out what Gaudi meant by all of those melting clocks. But if that gets too heady, we're content with just admiring some beauty.
Go to an Art Museum Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2025 | November 9 | Sunday |
2026 | November 9 | Monday |
2027 | November 9 | Tuesday |
2028 | November 9 | Thursday |
2029 | November 9 | Friday |