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International Museum Day illuminates the global significance of museums every May 18. Established by ICOM, this day champions these institutions as crucial hubs for cultural exchange, education, and peace. Explore local and international collections, attend special exhibits, and engage with the rich tapestry of human history and creativity.
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Expected International Museum Day Deals
As International Museum Day approaches, many institutions worldwide offer special incentives to encourage visits. While we await official 2027 promotions, history shows museums like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Louvre Museum often host free admission days, extended hours, or unique guided tours. Local art galleries and historical societies, such as the Field Museum and the British Museum, frequently feature discounted entry or special educational programs. Expect family-friendly workshops, virtual tours, and themed events at institutions like the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Exploratorium. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as May 18 approaches.
Platform Guide for International Museum Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #InternationalMuseumDay. Share photos or reels of your favorite museum visits, exhibits, or behind-the-scenes glimpses.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #InternationalMuseumDay. Join conversations about museum impact, share interesting facts, or highlight upcoming events.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalMuseumDay. Post about local museum events, share virtual tours, or discuss the importance of cultural preservation.
International Museum Day Hero
Georges Henri Rivière
History of International Museum Day
In 1951, the International Council of Museums (I.C.O.M.) held a meeting named “Crusade for Museums” during which the international museum community debated the theme “Museums and Education.” The strategy for museum accessibility was established at this meeting and served as inspiration for the creation of International Museum Day.
International Museum Day was first observed in 1977 in Moscow when the I.C.O.M. General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for the establishment of an annual event to further integrate creative objectives and museum efforts aimed at directing the world’s attention to the contributions of museums to humankind. It also pushes for the idea that museums are channels by which to promote mutual understanding, interaction, and world peace.
Every year, the organization decides on a new theme. Since 1977, all museums across the world have been asked to organize and take part in activities to raise awareness about the importance of museums to society.
Since its inception, International Museum Day has progressively grown in popularity. The number of participants has risen steadily over the last 15 years — a testament to the fact that the study of history allows us to understand how societies behaved.
Today, more people than ever before visit museums all over the world. There are also more people studying history at universities now than at any other time.
International Museum Day timeline
Aristotle establishes a museum at his Lyceum school to collect specimens for his zoological research, which he continues until his death.
The International Council of Museums Crusade for Museums Convention gathers museum professionals from around the world; its theme is “Museums and Education.”
The theme “Museums and Environment” is suggested as the event becomes widespread.
Over 20,000 museums from more than 90 countries take part in International Museum Day.
More than 30,000 museums in 129 countries participate in the global event.
International Museum Day FAQs
When is International Museum Day?
In 2027, International Museum Day is observed on Tuesday, May 18. It’s a key date for celebrating the contributions of museums to education, heritage preservation, and fostering peace globally.
How many museums are there worldwide?
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) reported over 95,000 museums in 2027, with new institutions continually emerging. This vast network highlights the enduring human desire to collect, preserve, and share stories and artifacts.
What is the theme for International Museum Day?
For 2027, the International Museum Day theme, set by ICOM, will explore how museums can foster sustainability and well-being within their communities. This annual theme guides celebrations and discussions globally.
What is the International Council of Museums (ICOM)?
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is a global non-governmental organization that defines professional and ethical standards for museums. It advocates for the importance of museums in society and facilitates international cooperation among cultural institutions.
International Museum Day Activities
Visit your local museum
Visiting a museum in your community is one of the best ways to mark International Museum Day. You can do this by yourself, or with friends or your children.
Take a virtual tour
You can visit a museum virtually if you don’t wish to wait in line or deal with crowds. Taking a virtual tour of a museum is in some ways practical as some of the more known museums are likely to be packed with guests.
Share your ideas on social media
You can share on social media your ideas or opinions about International Museum Day or a museum you’ve recently visited. This motivates other people to visit museums.
5 Interesting Facts About Museums
The British Museum needed a formal application
For nearly half a century, the British Museum, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1753 and originally situated in a magnificent mansion in Bloomsbury, required visitors to submit a formal application before being allowed entry.
‘Museum’ comes from the Greek ‘mouseion’
The word ‘museum’ derives from the Greek word ‘mouseion,’ which refers to temples dedicated to the Muses and the arts.
Egypt museum was the most visited attraction
Ancient Egypt’s most famous museum, the Museum of Alexandria, was built by Ptolemy I Soter in approximately 300 B.C. and was once the world’s most visited attraction.
Art collections were once status symbols
A revitalized interest in classical art and architecture prompted affluent merchant and banking families to amass art collections as status symbols during the Renaissance, which marked the establishment of modern museums.
Museology deals with collection curation
‘Museology’ refers to the broad and intriguing study of collection curation (the maintenance of objects in museum collections) as well as the display of collections to the public.
Why We Love International Museum Day
Museums educate and inspire
International Museum Day celebrates the significance of museums in educating and inspiring generations. These institutions collect and safeguard artifacts and specimens which are immensely useful in learning about cultures.
They preserve local culture
It is in museums that culture is properly documented regardless of what happens to it. They enable people from different cultural backgrounds to understand such culture.
They are a record of our past
Museums remind us of our past and tell us stories about how nations struggled or were built or liberated from colonizers. They are an account of man’s history since the beginning of time.
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