Art museum

An art museum is a specialized organization designed to house and display art.

These institutions use buildings or specific spaces to present items from their own collections. While most focus on visual art, they also serve as venues for various cultural activities. These activities can include music concerts, poetry readings, or academic lectures. Museums frequently host temporary exhibitions. These themed shows often feature items borrowed from other collections.

Terminology regarding these spaces can sometimes be confusing. The terms "art museum" and "art gallery" are often used interchangeably. Some famous institutions use the word "gallery" in their titles, such as the National Gallery in London. Others use "museum," like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. However, the term "art gallery" can also describe a private business that sells art. Such businesses are not considered art museums.

Historically, art was not always accessible to the general public. Large works were often commissioned by religious institutions or political leaders. These pieces were kept in temples, churches, or royal palaces. In classical times, wealthy collectors like Julius Caesar donated precious objects to temples. In Europe, some royal palaces were partially open to certain social classes. At the Palace of Versailles, visitors had to wear specific apparel to enter.

This included items like silver shoe buckles and swords.

The transition toward public access happened through several different paths. The Kunstmuseum Basel is considered the first public art museum in the world. Its history connects to a collection purchased by the city of Basel in 1661. During the 18th century, many private collections began opening to the public. The Musée du Louvre opened as a public museum in 1793. This happened during the French Revolution when royal collections were nationalized. In the United States, the Corcoran Gallery of Art was likely the first museum. It was originally housed in the Renwick Gallery, completed in 1874.

Museums manage their collections using several distinct methods. Because most museums own more art than they can display, they use reserve collections. These items are kept either on-site or at a separate location. Some materials require special care to prevent damage. For example, works on paper like drawings or photographs are kept in dedicated print rooms. This is done for reasons of conservation. Other art forms exist outside traditional indoor spaces. Murals and mosaics often remain in the locations where they were created.

Architecture plays a vital role in how art is experienced. In 1817, Sir John Soane designed the Dulwich Picture Gallery. This design established the gallery as a series of interconnected rooms. These rooms feature large, uninterrupted wall spaces for hanging pictures. They also use indirect lighting from skylights or roof lanterns. Over time, architectural styles have shifted significantly. Many museums used Beaux-Arts or Gothic Revival styles. Modern museums often use styles like Deconstructivism.

Some critics argue that very dramatic modern buildings can distract visitors from the art itself.

Art museums are also deeply integrated into the educational system. University art museums and galleries are a global phenomenon. These institutions maintain collections owned by schools and colleges. In the United States alone, there are over 700 university art museums. This makes them perhaps the largest category of art museums in the country. These collections help connect higher education with the study of visual culture. From grand national museums to small campus galleries, these spaces preserve human creativity.