Museums: Different Types and Their Purposes

museums

Today is World Museum Day. Here at Gooroo, we are great believers in education for all. Most museums around the country, and especially the world, offer free or discounted admission rates to children and families. But, what are the other reasons for these institutions? In today’s blog, we’ll answer this question. Then, show the different types of collections you can see!

What is a Museum?

Museums are institutions that care for a collections of artefacts or other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Put on display to the public, these items are organised into “exhibitions” that are either permanent or temporary. These institutions have a purpose or goal, it can be:

More often than not, this goal shifts more to serving the general public. 

The History

Acting first as private collections for the wealthy, the conserving of artefacts and objects was used as social currency by the male elite. While some of the oldest museums were established in the Italian Renaissance, a majority of institutions came about in the 18th century. 

The Largest and Most Visited

Making up the more than 55,000 institutions in 202 countries are:

Different Types and Their Purposes

While some institutions can focus on many different areas, often times institutions centre around one subject, location, people, or time period. Also, organising items into groups by type is common. This can include:

What’s more, the collections on display will either be permanent fixtures or a rotation of temporary special exhibitions. Additionally, organising the layout and narrative of the institution can either be done in a way where the story unfolds in a linear manner. Or, where the patrons create their own journey through the halls. 

Decolonising

Over the last couple of decades, a growing movement for the decolonisation of museums within the UK has arisen. It argues that the obtainment and subsequent narrative of the items of certain collections is unethical, stereotypical, and promoting a one-sided story. Items were taken from the countries they were from without the consent of the indigenous people. 

About the Author

Lydia B.

Lydia B.

Lydia B. is a Marketing Coordinator and Music Club Coach for Gooroo, a tutoring membership that matches students to tutors perfect for them based on their unique learning needs. Gooroo offers Math, English, SAT, Coding, Spanish tutoring, and more.