May 18: International Museum Day
International Museum Day
Today marks International Museum Day, a global observance that celebrates the role museums play in preserving history, sharing knowledge and connecting communities through culture, learning and storytelling.
Museums are spaces where identities are explored, histories are preserved and different perspectives are brought to life.
What is International Museum Day?
Established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) during its General Assembly held in Moscow today was created to encourage museums around the world to engage with the public, promote cultural exchange, increase awareness of the role museums play in society and make culture and history more accessible.
Today also encourages reflection on how museums can continue to evolve to be more inclusive, accessible and representative of the communities they serve
Why Museums and Inclusion Are Connected
Museums play an important role in shaping how we understand history and identity. The stories they choose to tell, and how they are told, influence how people see themselves and others.
Inclusive museums work to ensure a wider range of voices, cultures and experiences are represented, helping to challenge historical gaps and underrepresentation.
Accessibility is also a key part of inclusion, ensuring that exhibitions, learning spaces and digital resources can be experienced by as many people as possible.
The Importance of Representation
Representation within cultural institutions matters because it helps people feel seen, valued and included in shared narratives.
When museums reflect diverse histories and communities, they help create a richer and more accurate understanding of the world.
This also supports learning, empathy and connection across different groups and generations.
Ways to Mark the Day
There are many ways individuals and organisations can engage with International Museum Day:
Visit local museums or cultural spaces
Explore digital museum collections and exhibitions
Support initiatives that promote cultural inclusion
Learn about underrepresented histories and communities
Encourage conversations around representation in culture and education
Moving Towards More Inclusive Cultural Spaces
International Museum Day is a reminder that culture and history are not fixed stories, but evolving narratives shaped by many voices.
By supporting inclusive and accessible cultural spaces, we help ensure that more people can see their stories reflected and valued in the places that preserve our shared history.
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