International Museum Day 2023
Written by Amelia Kedge, ITP Assistant
Today, Thursday 18th May, marks International Museum Day.
Established in 1977, this annual celebration organised by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) aims to raise awareness about the fact that, “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.” Each year ICOM supports a set of goals from the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations as a theme for International Museum Day. This year’s focus is on:
- Global Health and Wellbeing: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages, in particular concerning mental health and social isolation.
- Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, adopting low-carbon practices in the Global North and mitigation strategies in the Global South.
- Life on Land: Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, amplifying the voices of indigenous leaders and raising awareness on the loss of biodiversity.
Museums across the world are encouraged to plan creative events and activities related to the IMD 2023 theme to engage with their public and highlight the importance of the role of museums in society. From writing workshops to webinars, ICOM supports digital, hybrid, and physical events in order to reach as wide an audience as possible. Check out this interactive map to see what events are being held all over the world, and be sure to upload your event too.
We’d love to know what our ITP network has planned for International Museum Day, Tweet us or tag us in your Instagram posts @britmusITP, or post in our Facebook group.
Happy International Museum Day!
#IMD2023