The purpose of a museum is to preserve, protect, and interpret artifacts that represent human culture throughout the world. These objects and collections represent the knowledge and understanding of different peoples, as well as the beauty of various cultures. A museum can be a large or small institution, and it can be in any country or city. For the ICOM, a museum is a permanent institution, and it serves the public as well. For further information on what makes a museum special, check out the ICOM’s website.
The word museum comes from the Latin “museus,” which means “place of the Muses”. The word museus, in the plural, comes from the Greek term mouseion, which denoted a building set aside for the arts and study of Muses. In the third century BCE, the Egyptian Ptolemies established a library and institute dedicated to philosophy. This library is considered the first museum.
Jobs in museums are diverse. Some people work in curatorial positions while others specialize in education and research. They may handle collections or curate exhibitions. They may also serve as an ambassador of the institution, answering questions and keeping the museum clean. A museum director reports to a higher body, but jobs in each field are plentiful and varied. Whether you love art or history, there are jobs in museums to suit your skills and interests. So get out there and explore the world. You’ll be glad you did!
Some cities have used museums as an economic development tool. In postindustrial regions, museums can revitalize a city. The Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, for instance, was built by the Basque regional government and Bilbao’s city. Despite controversy over the price tag, the project has largely paid off for the city, with more than 1.1 million visitors visiting the museum in 2015 alone. But this doesn’t mean that museums can’t have a role in the economy.
The Louvre Museum opened during the French Revolution in 1793. It was initially a private museum, but it was soon made open to the public. The former royal collections of the French monarchy were accessible for free for three days each decade. The Conservatoire du museum national des arts was given charge of transforming it into a public museum and the centerpiece of a planned national museum system. A few years later, the Louvre grew to become the world’s largest museum.
Today, the National Mall has numerous museums of different types. A definitive list of these types of museums is unavailable, but you can find a list of museums on the National Mall. The nonprofit museums are classified as charitable corporations and are tax-exempt. Most of the money they earn is invested in their organization, while private for-profit museums pay their owners or shareholders. In general, there are many types of museums in the U.S., including many museums in Europe.
In addition to the galleries and permanent collections, the Museum has an impressive Virtual Museum Tour that enables you to explore the Museum through 360-degree images. The Virtual Museum Tour features high-resolution images and a guided audio tour. The interactive experience also includes a hand-sewn replica of General George Washington’s field headquarters. The Museum also hosts lively conversations about the American Revolution, featuring diverse guests. These are just a few of the reasons that the American Museum of Natural History is a great place for anyone to work.