International Museum Day

What Is International Museum Day?

Every May 18th is "International Museum Day," established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) at its 11th General Conference in 1977 and observed since 1978, to raise awareness of the role museums play in society. In Japan, museums have taken part since 2002, led by the Japanese Association of Museums. "Museums" here include art galleries, science centers, zoos, and aquariums. Each year a common theme is chosen, and museums around the world hold special events.

The History of Museums

Museums preserve records of human culture and the natural world and pass them on across generations.

• Origins in the "Mouseion": The word "museum" comes from the ancient Greek "Mouseion," meaning a place or shrine of the Muses. The Mouseion of Alexandria in Egypt, which included the famous Library of Alexandria, was a center of scholarship.
• Opening to the public: Collections of rare objects were once mostly private "cabinets of curiosities" belonging to royalty, nobles, and scholars. The British Museum, founded in 1753 and opened in 1759, is often cited as an early example of a national museum open to the public.

Behind the Scenes

• Conservation: To slow deterioration, museums control temperature and humidity in storage and galleries and use lighting that limits ultraviolet light.
• Non-destructive examination: X-rays, CT scans, and infrared imaging allow researchers to study the inside of mummies or the underdrawings of paintings without damaging them.

Interesting Facts About Museums

• The Louvre: The Louvre in Paris is one of the largest art museums in the world. The former royal palace opened as a museum in 1793, after the French Revolution.
• Most of a collection is not on display: Large museums usually exhibit only a small part of their holdings; the rest is kept in storage and used for research.
• Ecomuseums: Some approaches treat a whole region's nature, culture, and way of life as a "museum" to be preserved and shared, not just objects inside a building.
• Digital collections: More and more museums publish images of their collections online, so people can view masterpieces from home.
• Touchable exhibits: Some museums offer exhibits that can be touched and audio descriptions so that visitors with visual impairments can also enjoy them.

Tips for Spending International Museum Day

• Check event listings at museums near you and pay a visit — some offer free admission or special programs on International Museum Day.
• Beyond the famous works, take time with a small object that catches your eye.
• Use an audio guide or join a curator's talk to learn the background of the exhibits.
• Explore a museum's online collection and look for treasures from around the world.

An Encounter Across Time at a Museum Near You

May 18th is a day to take a fresh look at the role of museums and galleries. The objects in the display cases were once made, used, and treasured by real people. Why not stop by a museum near you after work or on the weekend?