visit to a museum report

American Alliance of Museums American Alliance of Museums

Site Search

Peer Review

In This Section

Sample Reports

Sample reports are modeled after actual reports. These reports exemplify the approach and depth of information desired in a strong MAP report. They have utilized the report writing guide but tailored them to meet specific museum needs. MAP staff expects all reports to do the same. Please use these as examples only.

If you have questions or concerns about your report, please contact MAP staff. We will be happy to discuss your report, review and critique a draft, help locate resources and provide whatever assistance we can.

Sample Organizational Assessment Reports

Candy bar museum.

Showcases what the museum does well and gives reasonable recommendations on how to achieve even stronger results. This includes:

• Corresponding characteristics of excellence, at the beginning of each section, highlighting how the museum is connecting to these standards.
• Priority recommendations are given at the beginning, discussed in detail throughout the report and then extended in the end.
• Includes a timetable featuring short‐term, mid‐term and long‐term objectives, to make the timetable more manageable for the museum.

Download the sample Candy Bar Museum report .

Moffett-Weigert Museum

• Gives straight-forward advice on the objectives of a smaller institution.
• Carefully considers the limitations of staff, board, and budget
• Gives the museum ways to begin improving their overall functionality
• Prioritizes recommendations at the end

Download the sample Moffett-Weigert Museum report .

The Gotham Museum

• Showcases characteristics of excellence throughout the sections with the entire characteristics listed at the end
• Breaks up section recommendations by short-term, mid-term and long-term goals, making it easier for the museum to develop a work plan. Furthermore, it stresses disaster planning.
• A good representation of how to address the complexities of a city museum and can be applied to many museums with parent organizations.

Download the sample Gotham Museum report .

Sample Collections Stewardship Assessment Reports

Geode museum.

• Excellent example of a natural history museum and a good report for museums working with a different private non-profit society as its governing body
• Explanation of the emergency disaster plan is particularly comprehensive
• Prioritizing recommendations at the end by time (e.g., short term, medium range and long term)

Download the sample Geode Museum report .

Port City Social History Museum

• Detailed instructions and recommendations on how to accomplish collections management goals
• Books, website and other materials the museum will find useful in achieving their objectives are interspersed. This can sometimes be more useful than listing bibliographic materials at the end and expecting the museum to connect between the material and a particular bullet point.
• This museum is preparing for reaccreditation and the report targets that aspect in many explanations and suggestions.

Download the sample Port City Social History Museum report .

Sample Community Engagement Assessment Reports

Norse museum.

• Showcases how a museum can look for new ways to reinvigorate its current niche audience and search for new ones.
• Focuses on how to work with and cultivate within a small to mid-size community base of support while remaining positive and upbeat.
• Recommendations are clearly outlined, making it easier for the museum to locate, organize and utilize them when seeking financial support.

Download the sample Norse Museum report .

The Arctic Museum

• Focuses on how to improve community engagement through interpretive planning, better resource management and better wayfinding signage and advertising.
• Recommendations are easily understood and while challenging, not overwhelming.
• Top recommendations are prioritized at the end, helping the museum figure out how to start taking advantage of them.

Download the sample Arctic Museum report .

Sample Leadership Assessment Reports

Ornamental works museum.

• Report focuses on a relatively new organization (only 10 years old) having mixed success with its board and concerns with the economic recession
• Recommendations are well woven into the overall report and then pointed out at the end.
• This report makes clear recommendations and then additional ideas on how they may be achieved.

Download the sample Ornamental Works Museum report .

AAM Member-Only Content

AAM Members get exclusive access to premium digital content including:

• Featured articles from Museum magazine
• Access to more than 1,500 resource listings from the Resource Center
• Tools, reports, and templates for equipping your work in museums
• Not a member? Join Now
• Learn more about AAM Membership

We're Sorry

Your current membership level does not allow you to access this content.

• Learn More about AAM Membership

Subscribe to Field Notes!

Packed with stories and insights for museum people, Field Notes is delivered to your inbox every Monday. Once you've completed the form below, confirm your subscription in the email sent to you.

If you are a current AAM member, please sign-up using the email address associated with your account.

Primary Role Archivist/Librarian Board Chair (unpaid) Community Outreach/External Relations Conservation Consultant/Independent Professional Curatorial Development Educator: College/University Educator: Museum Exhibitions Facility/Operations Finance & Accounting Former Director/CEO General Administrative Staff Government Agency Staff Government Relations HR IT/Web Legal Living Collections Care Membership Museum Events/Food Service Museum Store Museum Trustee Museum Volunteer Other Museum Function Other Non-Museum Function President/CEO/Executive Director Public Relations & Marketing Publications Registration/Collections Management Research: Audience Evaluation Research: Discipline Based Retired Museum Staff Security Senior Management/VP/COO/CFO/Division Director Student: Museum-Related Student: Other Visitor Services Volunteer Management

Are you a museum professional? Yes No

Are you a current AAM member? Yes No

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription, and please add [email protected] to your safe sender list.

Talk to our experts

1800-120-456-456

• A Visit to a Museum - Long and Short Essay

Essay on A Visit to a Museum

We get to see a number of museums all over the world. India itself has several museums. A Visit to a Museum Essay in English is provided below for kids studying in class 5 and above. It is written in an easy to understand language for the convenience of kids. After reading the paragraph on A Visit to a Museum the kids will be able to write a 200 word essay on A Visit to a Museum or A Visit to a Museum 150 words paragraph on their own.

Long Essay on A Visit to a Museum

A building in which the objects of historical, cultural, artistic, and scientific interest are kept for the public display is known as a museum. It is a house of knowledge that makes us aware of the history, civilization, culture, religious practices, lifestyle, architecture, and art of the country. It lets us peep into the ancient socio-political, economic, cultural, and religious life of the people of a country.

A museum is a house of treasures filled with antiques. It holds the archaeological collectibles and artifacts that define a country’s culture and civilization. The historical panorama, the art and architecture, and the religions and relics of a country are curated and displayed in a museum. It can be said that any museum is a miniature reflection of a country’s past and ancient times. A vivid picture of the traditions, customs, and conventions of the country is showcased by a museum. 

I got a golden opportunity to visit the famous historic National Museum in New Delhi. The museum building is robust and majestic. The museum has various departments that have collectibles and artifacts on different subjects and historical periods on display. I saw numerous images, articles, sculptures, and scriptures– palm leaf and rock engravings and many other articles of great value and interest as we entered the ground floor of the museum. The entire museum is divided into different departments like the archaeological division, anthropological division, display section, etc.

On going to the first floor we saw paintings, murals, charts amongst the various other things. There were manuscripts in different languages on display. We saw various ancient weapons, robes, and dresses on display. One of the corners is dedicated to the numismatics section. This section has coins from different periods put on display.

There are the realistic paintings of Ellora caves alongside beautiful replicas of the Ajanta frescoes in one hall. In addition to these, the paintings depicting the lives of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, and Lord Buddha through scriptures and charts are also put on display. One could truly discover the glorious history of India after having a look at this section.

We saw the remains of the Indus Valley Civilization on the second floor. There are the excavations from Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Lothal, Kalibanga, and Ropar put on display. The broken pitchers, toys, stones, beads, skulls, etc. reflect a lot about the civilization of those times. We were really surprised to find out how advanced that civilization was.

The third floor belongs to the military equipment section. The weapons from the ancient times, such as the spears and pruning hooks, swords and sheaths, shields and helmets, different types of dresses of the commanders and generals from the past ages are showcased. It was a thrilling experience. Seeing all the equipment and attires of the past heroes of our nation was too inspiring for us.

The whole museum is a treasure trove of the history of India. You learn about the history of great men of India and their morals. The laurels, legends, and historical facts are connected with an entire gamut of literature and the life of India. Whether they were poets or prose writers, scientists or galaxy-gazers, dancers or dramatists, musicians or doctors, songsters or sculptors, lawgivers, or lexicographers, you get to experience their lives from the past through the remains curated and put on display.

Short Essay on A Visit to a Museum

A place where old relics are kept on display for the public is known as a museum. A visit to a museum expands our knowledge of the past. I had a chance to visit the National Museum in New Delhi. A friend accompanied me to the museum. It is a huge building divided into different sections. There are various exhibits in each section.

We saw the stars in our galaxy first. The stars are painted on the ceiling of the dome. We felt like we were in the galaxy of stars for real. We then moved on to another section that had weapons of ancient times. They were arranged in a manner to depict the battle scenes. The household goods from ancient times were kept in the adjacent room to display the domestic life of the ancient people. There were a lot of things made by Indian scientists that were on display. Models of dams and hydroelectric projects, solar cookers, solar light systems, etc. that help us understand how far Indians have come after Independence are put on display in this museum. 

We kept moving on to one section from the other and learned a lot about our country’s rich past. We did have a great time at the museum and we are looking forward to our next visit.

Importance of Visiting a Museum

The students should know that visiting a museum now and then is good for many reasons and has many advantages. For instance, a child learns about different things visually and this helps him to remember things vividly. You can go to a museum and it is a source of entertainment for many students who like to learn about things differently. A museum educates a student about different things simply and helps you become smarter. 

Museums also help in inspiring young minds and help them dream of many possibilities. The Importance of Museums: conserving native Culture. Museums play a vital role in conserving native culture. With proper measures for physical object preservation, a culture will be recorded and remembered in spite of its future. It is also supposed to be shared by the people from different groups and thus in a way ends up being understood by those from completely different cultural backgrounds. Museums guarantee understanding and appreciation for varied groups and cultures. They're the establishments charged with preserving, protecting and displaying artefacts from our past and so conserving our wealthy heritage which could well be lost to personal collectors or to time itself. 

Quite evidently, if not for museums, we'd most actually lose the tangible links to our past. Museums are the storehouse of antique items. They are much underrated when in fact, they make great historical, anthropological, and archaeological monuments that impart knowledge about how the world used to be and how it developed over the centuries.

The visit to the museum was thrilling as well as an enriching experience for me. It was one of the richest experiences of my life to have seen and experienced all of that in the museum. It was deeply moving to see the vast storehouse of our country’s ancient glory. This visit to the National Museum has left a lingering impression on my mind.

FAQs on A Visit to a Museum - Long and Short Essay

1. What is a Museum?

A museum is a place that gives us knowledge about the civilizations of the past. Art, antique artifacts, and relics from ancient times are preserved and put on display for the public to see.

2. Why are Museums important?

Museums are a vast repository of information and knowledge from our past. It preserves and showcases all aspects of the ancient civilizations. You get to know how civilizations have evolved over the past years. Without museums, it would be close to impossible to keep a track of our history. The remains from the past would be scattered and not be found under one roof collectively. The public might not have access to all the places holding on to the remains.

3. Where can I get long and short essays on topics like 'A Visit to a Museum’?

The students can find essays on a variety of topics at Vedantu.com. Here, you will find long and short essays on topics most students are unable to find anywhere else. At Vedantu.com , every essay is free to read and the students can understand each word easily because of the simple and uncomplicated tone. These essays are easy to remember for exams and competitions. Also, the Vedantu app brings every topper the luxury of these essays in both long and short formats so you don't have to worry about adjusting any word. Writing a good essay has its own benefits like students getting better at critical thinking, their knowledge in a variety of different topics enhanced, as they grow older this helps in different career sectors or competitive exams due to better reading and writing skills, helps them express their ideas and overall improves their communication skills. This is why Vedantu is here with so many essays to choose from so that you can excel in the art of essay writing as every topper does. For this, regular practice is needed which helps the students to connect their ideas and write them without any hurdles arising. So for essays and study materials, choose Vedantu!

4. How many words should I write for a long or short essay about the topic ‘A visit to a museum’?

The students can write an average short essay about the topic ‘A visit to a museum’ which can vary from 150-200 words. An essay that is supposed to belong to the same topic must be at least 500-600 words. Writing an essay whether long or short helps a student to enhance their creativity and better their writing skills. These essays at Vedantu.com help a student in their exams, competitions or even competitive exams where good writing skills or good English proficiency is required. Reading and writing long-short essays for the students or even a 10 line essay for younger students helps them to enhance their creativity. The students learn about different things and gain more knowledge this way. As they have to search about the topic they are writing an essay on, it helps them to go through different ideas of different people which later on helps them in life too as in the form of skills. The students should make sure to choose a topic that has a lot to offer and write an essay about it if possible. This helps them to interlink one topic with another without any problem and thus, helps them to remember things more vividly. 

Essay on A Visit to a Museum

Students are often asked to write an essay on A Visit to a Museum in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on A Visit to a Museum

Introduction.

A visit to a museum is always an enriching and enlightening experience. It offers a glimpse into the past, helping us understand our history and culture.

Last Sunday, I visited our city museum. The building itself was grand, housing countless artifacts.

The first section was dedicated to ancient civilizations. It displayed pottery, coins, and weapons. The next section had paintings and sculptures, showcasing our artistic heritage.

The museum visit was a journey through time. It was a great learning experience, making history come alive in front of my eyes.

250 Words Essay on A Visit to a Museum

A museum is a treasure trove of antiquities, a repository of cultural heritage, and a testament to human history. A visit to a museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the past, understand different cultures, and gain insights into the evolution of society.

The Entrancing Experience

Upon entering, one is immediately transported back in time. The hushed silence, the dimly lit corridors, and the meticulously arranged exhibits create an atmosphere of intrigue and reverence. It is a place where time stands still, and history comes alive.

Exploring the Exhibits

The exhibits are a fascinating blend of art, history, and science. From ancient artifacts to contemporary art, from geological samples to historical documents, every object tells a story. Each exhibit is a piece of the puzzle that helps us understand our past and how it shapes our present.

The Learning Journey

A museum visit is not just a visual spectacle; it’s an immersive educational experience. The detailed descriptions and interactive displays provide a wealth of information that enhances our understanding of various subjects. It makes learning tangible, engaging, and enjoyable.

Reflection and Appreciation

The museum visit leaves one with a profound sense of awe and respect for our ancestors’ achievements. It fosters appreciation for the richness and diversity of our cultural heritage. It also underscores the importance of preserving these treasures for future generations.

In conclusion, a visit to a museum is a journey through time, a celebration of human ingenuity, and a learning experience like no other. It is an enriching activity that broadens our perspective, enriches our knowledge, and fuels our curiosity.

500 Words Essay on A Visit to a Museum

A museum is a treasure trove of human history, culture, and knowledge. It is a place where time is frozen, and stories from the past are narrated through artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and other historical objects. A visit to a museum is not just an excursion but a journey through time, offering glimpses into the lives, customs, and practices of our ancestors.

The Enthralling Experience

The moment one steps into a museum, they are transported into a different realm. The air is heavy with the scent of antiquity and the aura of bygone eras. The artifacts, each a silent storyteller, narrate tales of glory, conquest, innovation, and evolution. The quiet corridors of the museum echo with the whispers of time, and the displays paint a vivid picture of the world’s historical timeline.

Artifacts and Exhibits

Museums host a diverse range of exhibits, from ancient relics to modern art. Paleolithic tools, Neolithic pottery, Egyptian mummies, Greek sculptures, Roman coins, and medieval armor, to name a few, take us back to different epochs. Paintings and sculptures showcase the evolution of artistic styles, while archaeological exhibits reveal the technological advancements of various civilizations. Contemporary art installations challenge conventional thinking and inspire new perspectives.

The Learning Experience

A visit to a museum is an educational experience par excellence. It offers a firsthand encounter with historical artifacts, fostering a deeper understanding of our cultural and historical roots. It enhances our knowledge about our ancestors’ lives, their beliefs, practices, and achievements. Moreover, it cultivates an appreciation for art, history, and archaeology, inspiring us to delve deeper into these subjects.

Reflections and Insights

A museum visit often leaves one with a sense of awe and respect for our predecessors. It makes us realize the transient nature of existence and the permanence of legacy. The artifacts bear testimony to human resilience, ingenuity, and the indomitable spirit of exploration and discovery. It also instills a sense of responsibility to preserve our heritage for future generations.

In essence, a visit to a museum is a profound journey into the annals of history and human evolution. It is an enriching experience that broadens our horizons, deepens our understanding of the world, and connects us with our past. Museums, as custodians of heritage, play a vital role in educating society and fostering a culture of learning and appreciation for history and art. As we walk out of the museum, we carry with us not just memories of the visit but also deeper insights into our shared human experience.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Village Market
• Essay on Wholesale Market
• Essay on Weekly Market Scene

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Happiness Hub Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• Happiness Hub
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Official Writing
• Report Writing

How to Write a Visit Report

Last Updated: March 30, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Madison Boehm . Madison Boehm is a Business Advisor and the Co-Founder of Jaxson Maximus, a men’s salon and custom clothiers based in southern Florida. She specializes in business development, operations, and finance. Additionally, she has experience in the salon, clothing, and retail sectors. Madison holds a BBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from The University of Houston. This article has been viewed 679,450 times.

Whether you’re a student or a professional, a visit report helps you document the procedures and processes at an industrial or corporate location. These reports are fairly straightforward. Describe the site first and explain what you did while you were there. If required, reflect on what you learned during your visit. No additional research or information is needed.

Writing a Visit Report

Explain the site's purpose, operations, and what happened during the visit. Identify the site's strengths and weaknesses, along with your recommendations for improvement. Include relevant photos or diagrams to supplement your report.

Describing the Site

• Reports are usually only 2-3 pages long, but in some cases, these reports may be much longer.
• In some cases, you may be asked to give recommendations or opinions about the site. In other cases, you will be asked only to describe the site.
• Ask your boss or instructor for models of other visit reports. If you can't get a model, look up samples online.

• If you visited a factory, explain what it is producing and what equipment it uses.
• If you visited a construction site, describe what is being constructed and how far along the construction is. You should also describe the terrain of the site and the layout.
• If you’re visiting a business, describe what the business does. State which department or part of the business you visited.
• If you’re visiting a school, identify which grades they teach. Note how many students attend the school. Name the teachers whose classes you observed.

• Who did you talk to? What did they tell you?
• What did you see at the site?
• What events took place? Did you attend a seminar, Q&A session, or interview?
• Did you see any demonstrations of equipment or techniques?

• For example, at a car factory, describe whether the cars are made by robots or humans. Describe each step of the assembly line.
• If you're visiting a business, talk about different departments within the business. Describe their corporate structure and identify what programs they use to conduct their business.

Reflecting on Your Visit

• Is there something you didn’t realize before that you learned while at the site?
• Who at the site provided helpful information?
• What was your favorite part of the visit and why?

• For example, you might state that the factory uses the latest technology but point out that employees need more training to work with the new equipment.
• If there was anything important left out of the visit, state what it was. For example, maybe you were hoping to see the main factory floor or to talk to the manager.

• Tailor your recommendations to the organization or institution that owns the site. What is practical and reasonable for them to do to improve their site?
• Be specific. Don’t just say they need to improve infrastructure. State what type of equipment they need or give advice on how to improve employee morale.

Formatting Your Report

• If you are following a certain style guideline, like APA or Chicago style, make sure to format the title page according to the rules of the handbook.

• Don’t just say “the visit was interesting” or “I was bored.” Be specific when describing what you learned or saw.

Sample Visit Report

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://services.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/471286/Site_Reports_for_Engineers_Update_051112.pdf
• ↑ https://www.examples.com/business/visit-report.html
• ↑ https://www.thepensters.com/blog/industrial-visit-report-writing/
• ↑ https://eclass.aueb.gr/modules/document/file.php/ME342/Report%20Drafting.pdf

About This Article

To write a visit report, start by including a general introduction that tells your audience where and when you visited, who your contact was, and how you got there. Once you have the introduction written out, take 1 to 2 paragraphs to describe the purpose of the site you visited, including details like the size and layout. If you visited a business, talk about what the business does and describe any specific departments you went to. Then, summarize what happened during your visit in chronological order. Make sure to include people you met and what they told you. Toward the end of your report, reflect on your visit by identifying any strengths and weaknesses in how the site operates and provide any recommendations for improvement. For more help, including how to format your report, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Betty Tarutia

Jul 9, 2020

Did this article help you?

Jayani Rathnayake

Aug 6, 2019

Jun 13, 2019

Atremedaki Phawa

Aug 19, 2019

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Don’t miss out! Sign up for

wikiHow’s newsletter

• How it works
• How it Works

Polishing Your Writing to Make it Shine

Moreover, I can note that Cezanne had lost some specific forms and feeling of their texture. In Cezanne’s still-lifes, it is difficult to determine which fruits are depicted; in the portraits, one cannot conclude, in which tissue a figure is clothed. In addition, the portraits of people reveal their heartlessness because the artist does not pay much attention to the spirit world and the character of the models. He is much more interested in the basic forms of the objective world, transmitted by color ratio.

In addition, I visited the Museum of Modern Arts. This is the first and the most famous museum of contemporary art the world. Later, the idea of creating such museums spread to other capitals of the world. The building, in which it is situated, is an indisputable masterpiece of modern art itself. During my first trip, I visited the top floor of the Museum of Modern Art. There, temporary, alternating exhibitions and expositions are held. Further below, on the 5th floor of the museum, a rich collection of sculptures and painting is presented. It should be noted that the post-impressionist works by famous contemporary artists prevail there. I was able to see the great paintings by Russo, Gogen, Kandinsky, El Lissitzky, Miro, and Degas. Among the most famous and unique paintings in the collection of Museum of Modern Arts one can find the paintings by Van Gogh The Starry Night, Picasso’s Avignon Girls and Malevich’s White on White. Separately, one can highlight that the world’s best collection of works by Picasso is assembled in the Museum of Modern Art.

The entire fourth floor is dedicated to the paintings and sculptures of the 1940s-1970s. In my opinion, it is one of the most interesting halls. Here, the paintings by abstractionists, expressionists, minimalists are housed, as well as the pop art works. There are many of the most famous works by Andy Warhol. In addition, I visited a sculpture garden, located in the atrium of the building, in the open air. There the famous sculpture Goat by Picasso was presented as well as a piece of Paris – the entrance to the Paris underground, the creation of Guimard.

The different directions of art are presented in the Museum of Modern Arts. During my first visit, I was able to study impressionism, post-impressionism, cubism, fauvism, and futurism. I was completely charmed by the paintings of impressionists and post-impressionists. Their technique gives the opportunity to depict the real world in the most natural way, reveal its mobility and variability, convey fleeting impressions. Furthermore, I was impressed by the speed, the movement, and the energy in the paintings by futurists. I believe they tried to convey their main artistic principles with relatively simple techniques. Their paintings are characterized by energetic compositions where the figures are intersected and split into fragments with sharp angles. Zigzags, spirals, and tapered cones dominate constantly. The movement is revealed by imposing of successive phases at the image. My second visit was devoted to studying abstractionism, dadaism, constructivism, suprematism, expressionism, surrealism, abstractionism-expressionism, minimalism, conceptualism, and contemporary art.

You can use our chat service now for more immediate answers

One of the most famous paintings by the artist Salvador Dali kept at the Museum of Modern Art, The Persistence of Memory caused many thoughts. The image that express a departure from the linear understanding of time can be very often found in Daly’s paintings. I think the artists’s wife Gala rightly predicted that no one would be able to forget it.

The thing I explored was GIF animation as an artwork. Many artists express their attitude with the help of GIF animation. The short videos are displayed on the big monitors, sometimes accompanied by the soundtrack. One should put on the headphones and carefully look at the monitor to get the author’s message. In addition, the picture from another exhibition called “Panopticon” impressed me. The picture was black-and-white and resembled an x-ray. There was a woman’s leg in the lace stockings with the knife attached to the shin. The knife on the women’s leg is the symbol of some secrets everybody has and which people around just cannot see with the naked eye. Thus, we never know what the person we communicate with keeps in mind and how dangerous he or she is. The picture was beautiful and thoughtful at the same time. It made me think about some aspects of my life, that is why I liked it.

Without a doubt, being at the Museum of Modern Arts I paid a huge attention to Picasso’s paintings. I can note some common features inherent to his creation. Fascination with African sculpture led him to his own completely new genre. Picasso can be considered the ancestor of Cubism. This artistic direction, which rejects the traditions of naturalism and figurative-cognitive function of art, is clearly reflected in his works. I can note that Picasso paid special attention to the transformation of forms into geometric blocks, increased and broke the volumes, dissected them to the brink of a plane and extended in space. The background is the solid body itself that is inevitably bounded by the plane of the picture. It is can be clearly seen in the Portrait of Kahnweiler and Factory in Horta de Ebro. The prospect disappears, the palette tends to be monochrome, and although the original purpose of Cubism is reproducing the feeling of space and gravity of the masses in more clear way than by traditional techniques, Picasso’s paintings often look like the incomprehensible puzzles. To regain a connection with reality, Picasso sometimes introduced typeface, elements and coarse materials: wallpaper, pieces of newspapers, matchboxes into his paintings. In addition, he used sand, posters, business cards and much more. A material, whatever it is, becomes alive in his hands, and it seems like he has breathed his own power into it.

In Picasso’s creation, still-lifes with musical instruments, tubes and boxes with the tobacco, notes, bottles of wine, and other attributes inherent to the artistic bohemian lifestyle of the century dominate. In the compositions, there is a ‘cubist cryptography’ – encrypted telephone numbers of homes, torn lovers’ names, street names, cafes. Collage technique combines cubist prism faces in a larger plane or gives events from human life in a relaxed and humorous way. In addition, there is the desire for harmonization of colors and balanced composition. I realized that virtually everything Picasso saw or touched had influenced his paintings. It can be the works of other artists, women, some things, or even garbage. Picasso undertook a systematic study of almost all of surrogate products that could be incorporated into the painting to revitalize its surface. He gives them the ability to transform into expressive color spots, creating his famous ‘pictures of the label’. Today they are considered the masterpieces.

The museums give a powerful experience since they challenge one to think about the different aspects of life with the help of art. The exhibitions allow one to look at the artwork and get its message. I changed my mind about some issues. Moreover, I believe that impressions I had after visiting both museums made me a different person than when I first came in. I have been four times at the Metropolitan Museum and twice at the Museum of Modern Arts, and I dream to go back there again and again because their collections are huge and extremely interesting.

I’m new here 15% OFF

Sample Categories

• Business Essays
• Medicine Essays
• History Essays
• Management Essays
• Literature Essays
• Psychology Essays
• Sociology Essays

The Met Cloisters

Accessibility at The Met Cloisters is somewhat limited for wheelchair and stroller users and others who need step-free access due to the building's landmark status. A free shuttle service is available to visitors requiring step-free access to enter the building.

Read visitor guidelines .

Plan Your Visit

View The Met Cloisters Map.

Visitor Guidelines

Review our visitor guidelines to get the most out of your Met experience.

The Met Cloisters Digital Guide

Enhance your visit to The Met Cloisters using our digital guide, available for free on the Bloomberg Connects app.

Journey to the Middle Ages

Explore the history, the spaces, and the art of The Met Cloisters in this interactive primer.

Directions and Parking

Plan your route to the Museum.

Accessibility

We welcomes all visitors and affirm our commitment to offering programs and services that are accessible to everyone.

Food and Drink

The Met Cloisters' Trie Café, open April through October, offers light fare in a peaceful outdoor setting.

Become a Member

Enjoy free admission, complimentary guest tickets, invitations to exclusive viewing hours, discounts, and more.

The Met Cloisters Store

Located just off the Main Hall of The Met Cloisters, The Met Store presents unique gifts, jewelry, home decor, and more inspired by the art, architecture, and gardens of medieval Europe.

Museum – Review Writing – Sample

Jan 30, 2023 | Review Writing | 0 |

The museum I recently visited was an incredible experience. The exhibitions were well-curated, showcasing a wide range of artifacts and works of art from different time periods and cultures. The displays were informative and engaging, making it easy to learn and appreciate the history and significance of each piece.

The museum’s architecture was stunning, with high ceilings, natural light, and spacious galleries. The layout was well thought-out, allowing visitors to easily navigate the exhibits and take their time exploring each one.

In addition to the permanent collections, the museum also hosted special exhibitions that were truly remarkable. The interactive displays and multimedia presentations were particularly impressive, providing a unique and immersive experience.

The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, always willing to answer questions and provide additional information about the exhibits. The museum also had a well-stocked gift shop, offering a wide selection of unique and interesting items inspired by the collections.

Overall, this museum was a fantastic experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in art, history, or culture. Whether you’re a seasoned museum-goer or a first-timer, this museum is definitely worth a visit.

Related Posts

Harry Potter – Film Review – Sample

Sports centre – Review

Sports Complex – Review Writing – Sample

Review Writing – Film

Leave a reply cancel reply.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advancements

• Get Your Writing Reviewed

Writing Exercises

• Email Writing
• Review Writing
• Report Writing
• Article Writing

Important Pages

• Pastpapers 0510
• Less Common Vocabulary
• Specimen papers 2024
• Syllabus 0510

Reading Exercises

• Reading Comprehension
• Multiple Matching
• Note Making
• Summary Writing
• Uncategorized

Listening Links

• Listening Challenge- 1 minute Videos
• Oct/Nov 2022 - Listening Tracks
• May/June 2022 - Listening Tracks
• CAE / C1 Advanced

Solved Pastpapers

• OCT-NOV 2022
• May-June 2022
• Model Answers

Recent Posts

• Feb March 2024 – Exercise-4
• Feb-March 2024 Exercise-3
• Feb-March 2024 Exercise-2
• Feb March 2024 – Exercise-1
• OCT-NOV 2022 – SOLVED PAPER – Article WRITING – 0510/22

You cannot copy content of this page

Art & Culture Travel Blog

How to visit the museum: a guide for the perfect museum visit.

• Tea Gudek Šnajdar
• Museum Tips

Museums are some of the most popular tourist attractions and usually places many travellers wants to visit on their trips. However, the experience of visiting a museum could also be quiet disappointing if not done right, even for the experienced museumgoers. After doing it wrong many times, and then learned how to visit the museums right, I wanted to share with you this guide for a perfect museum visit.

How to visit the museum

There are many ways to visit the museums right. And many more to do it all wrong. It, of course, depends entirely on your interests and the way you love to explore the new places. However, there are some ground rules you should follow if you’d like to know how to visit the museum right.

⤷ Read more : 15 best museums in Europe you should visit 

What if you don’t like museums?

Then don’t visit them! I’m not a massive fan of adrenaline parks, and that’s why I would hardly ever end up in one while travelling.

It’s the same with the museums. Do you feel like you should go and see Mona Lisa if you’re in Paris ? Despite the fact, you don’t really appreciate the painting? Well, don’t! Your experience isn’t going to be the best, you probably won’t like the picture any more, and you’ll lose a few hours you could spend doing something more fun in Paris .

⤷ TIP : But, if you’d like to give museums a chance, then I have a suggestion for you. Book a private tour and let someone who knows that museum very well guide you around. Private museum tours usually last for roughly two hours. The guide will have your ticket sorted, they’ll show you the most interesting exhibits and will tell you some exciting stories about them. Trust me, they know how to visit the museum right.

A guide for the perfect museum visit

However, if you do like art and history, feel like a real culture tourist, then let me give you some tips on how to visit the museum right. I broke them in three steps that will make your museum visit much more enjoyable.

1/ Before a museum visit: How to prepare for a visit to a museum

A good museum visit starts with a well-done preparation. Here are some of my tips.

# – Chose the museum you’d like to visit wisely

Obviously, we all have different interest. I’d be utterly bored at a museum of sports. But give me an exhibition about fashion, and I’ll be thrilled. You get the point.

If you’re going to a major city that has several museums you could visit, do some research and check which one could be the most interesting to you.

If you love the old masters and are visiting Amsterdam , then the Rijksmuseum is a place to go for you. If you’d like to learn more about Vincent van Gogh during your trip to Europe, then Orsay in Paris or the Van Gogh Museum in the Dutch capital should be on your list.

Researching the best museums according to your interests in a town you’re going to visit, before your trip, is one of my essential tips on how to visit the museum right.

⤷ Read more : Here is a selection of the best museums in Amsterdam , best museums in London , best museums in Paris and best museums in Tournai .

# – Get familiar with the collection it’s home to on their website

Okay, so you’ve chosen the museum or more of them, you’d like to visit.

The next step is to research the museum itself. Visit their website and see what the highlights in it are. Do they host some of the world most famous masterpieces? Or the work of a painter you like? Maybe they have a nice collection of an art style you love? It’s good to check all of that before your trip, so you can plan your museum visit better.

I also love to research the museum website before my visit to see are there any special events taking place during my time there. Temporary exhibitions, lectures or art workshops could be a great way to make your visit even more enjoyable.

In case some art pieces are on loan, or if some galleries are temporarily closed, you’ll know how to plan your museums visit better, too.

# – Check if you could find any videos about that museum

There’s nothing like watching an excellent video about the museum you’re going to before visiting it. You’ll get familiar with the collection and see which art pieces you’d like to see. You’ll also learn a bit about them before actually seeing them.

Watching some museum videos before your visit could also be great to get a feeling of a museum interior a bit.

⤷ TIP : Check out some of Culture Tourist museum videos on a link here to see if I’ve already made some about the place you’re planning to visit.

# – Buy your ticket online

There is nothing worse than staring your visit by queuing in front of the museum for a few hours just to get in. And that’s the sad reality when visiting many of those world-famous museums.

However, be smart and purchase your museum ticket online before your visit. You can often do that on the museum website. Or, you can do as I do, and use the platform called Tiqets (here is the link) to buy all of your museum tickets online.

That way you can go straight to the entrance and get into the museum immediately.

# – Book a museum tour

Visiting a museum on a guided tour makes a huge difference. Especially if it’s a private tour. I used to work as a museum guide for several years and speak from the experience here.

And even though I have a MA in Art History, I always book a tour when visiting a new museum. A good guide is going to tell you about the museum, its collection and will tell you the stories behind some of its highlights in a fun and exciting way. You’ll also get a chance to ask all the questions you have.

⤷ TIP : You’ll find a wide selection of museum tours on a link here – this is where I’m usually booking all of my museum tours.

2/ During the museum visit: How to get the most of your visit to a museum

Okay, so you’ve prepared well for your visit in advance. But, let’s talk now about how to visit the museum right once inside of it.

# – Dress appropriately

This is quite an important advice for visiting museums.

Let’s start with your shoes first. When in the museum you won’t walk that much, but you’ll stand on the same spot a lot. And that could be tiring. Wearing some comfy shoes is definitely crucial for a great museum experience.

Many exhibits are fragile and to prevent their decline, museums have a special cooling system in their interiors. That’s why it’s always a bit fresh at the galleries. So, my advice is to bring a cardigan to put it on when inside.

# – Don’t spend more than two hours at a museum

From my experience, after two hours at the museum, you’ll be too tired to continue exploring it.

That’s why the step of researching the museum collection before your visit is so important. Getting in a museum and just wandering around without any idea of what you’re looking at, won’t be the best experience.

To really enjoy the artworks, learn the story behind them and have a great museum experience, pick only one collection and explore it extensively.

If you’re at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam , spend your time just at the Gallery of Honour. Or, if at the Orsay in Paris, explore only the Impressionist collection . That’s what I usually do, and it makes such a difference, trust me.

# – Focus on details rather than trying to see more

This museum tip is related to the previous one. Rather than trying to see as much as you can at the museum, put your focus on details. Art is all about the feelings it evokes in us. And to get the chance to feel the paintings, focus on details.

Stand in front of the painting and see if you can notice the brushstrokes or a texture artist has painted. How does the frame look like? Is it new or old? You can also get very close to the painting and look to the colours, texture and details. And then take a few steps back and look at it from the distance to see how the whole composition changes.

Pick a few paintings and explore them in this way, and I’m sure your museum experience is going to be much more interesting than usual.

# – Ask questions

One of my favourite things about visiting museums is to talk about the art pieces. If you’ll visit the museum on tour feel free to ask your guide all the questions you have. Why is that painting so famous? How long would an artist need to create a marble statue? Use the advantage of having an expert with you and ask everything that interests you.

If you’re going to visit on your own, you can always ask the museum guards to advise you which part of the museum to explore next. Or even about some exhibits. They usually know a lot about the collections they are taking care of.

And also, discuss the art with your travel companions. Is there something you didn’t like at all? Talk about that! Art is a subjective thing, and it should be discussed. Remember me mentioning how art is all about the feelings it evokes in us? Well, those feelings could be happy, sad, angry or even confusing. And it’s fun to see how the person you’re with perceived the same art piece.

# – Avoid taking pictures

Lose the phone when at the museum!

Museums are places to enjoy at a slow pace. That way, they transfer you to some different world. And although some exhibits could be so beautiful and interesting to you, don’t take photos of them.

First, if using the flash, you’re damaging the paintings that are often hundreds of years old. And since the light is often dim at museums, the quality of your photos won’t be the best.

Museum shops are selling the postcards with the majority of the artworks they host, so you can keep the memory to it in that way. And very often, you can find great high-quality photos of the paintings on their website.

Another thing is that you are ruining the experience to other visitors who are trying to enjoy in those exhibits. And are ruining the experience to yourself, too. So, lose the phone and enjoy a wonderful relaxed museum visit.

3/ After the museum visit: What to do after visiting the museum

So, you enjoyed visiting the galleries and exploring the artworks. But what to do now to enjoy your visit a bit longer?

# – Have a coffee at a museum cafe

Although there are different opinions about them, I love to finish my visit at a museum cafe. I don’t know is it because of a couple of hours of walking, being a bit overwhelmed by all that art, or just because they usually have a beautiful setting, I love to spend a bit more time at a museum cafe after my visit.

# – Take some time off to absorb everything you saw

Having a break at a museum cafe also allows some time to absorb everything you saw at the galleries.

If you’re alone, you can browse through the flyer or a museum booklet you’ve got and keep that feeling of fulfilment with art for a few more moments. Or if you’re in a company, you can talk about your favourite art pieces or the ones you didn’t like/understood at all.

# – Visit the museum shop

There are mixed opinions about them, too. But, I love visiting museum shops at the end of my visit. It’s a nice way to get something to remember the museum and the art you saw there. Perhaps, you could buy those postcards or reproductions of the paintings you liked the most.

I also love the art books selection they have and am always looking for some new editions to add to my collection.

They are also a nice place to look for some lovely local designs products. Museums in London have a great selection of them. And I really love some design products you can find at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam .

# – Read a book or watch a movie about something that you liked the most

If you were entirely amazed by some painter or an art movement you saw during your visit to the museum, check out if you can find a book or a movie about it. There are many great fiction books about the old masters and some lovely documentaries about Impressionism. If you liked the work of Vincent van Gogh, you can read more about the life and work of Vincent van Gogh in my series of articles here.

Visiting a new museum could be a bit challenging at first, but good preparation for your museum visit is key. I hope this guide for a perfect museum visit will help you in organising your trip and understanding how to visit the museum right.

Do you have any other tips for visiting museums? Share them with me in the comments!

*This post includes some affiliate links.

How to visit the museum , Museum Guide , Museums

Virtual Travel

A Smithsonian magazine special report

Smart News | March 20, 2020

Ten Museums You Can Virtually Visit

Museums are closing their doors amid the coronavirus crisis, but many offer digital exhibitions visitors can browse from the comfort of home

Nadine Daher

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, museums and cultural institutions across the globe are closing their doors to the public. But while visitors can no longer roam the halls of these institutions, virtual tools and online experiences mean anyone with an internet connection can browse world-class collections from home.

The Smithsonian Institution , of course, has its own array of virtual tours, experiences and educational resources . Among the other experiences on offer: Scroll through an extensive trove of 3-D photographs from the Minneapolis Institute of Art , explore online exhibits from the National Women’s History Museum in Virginia, or admire artistic masterpieces from the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Spain. Additionally, around 2,500 museums and galleries, including the Uffizi Galleries in Florence and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, are offering virtual tours and presenting online collections via the Google Arts and Culture portal.

For those in search of armchair travel inspiration, Smithsonian magazine has compiled a list of ten museums that have found new ways to fulfill their critical mission of cultivating creativity and spreading knowledge.

The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

Home to the world’s second largest private collection of art, the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza owns masterpieces by giants of virtually every art movement—to name just a few, Jan van Eyck, Titian, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Picasso and Dalí. To spotlight these artistic treasures, the Madrid museum offers an array of multimedia resources . Users can take a virtual tour of the entire building (or a thematic tour covering such topics as food, sustainability, fashion and even “inclusive love”); browse current and closed exhibits ; and watch behind-the-scenes videos featuring interviews, lectures and technical studies.

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea

Committed to offering a culturally rewarding experience since opening its doors in 2013, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul (MMCA) has established itself as a prominent cultural platform and leader in Korean art. In collaboration with Google Arts and Culture, the MMCA is now offering a virtual tour of its collections. This experience takes visitors through six floors of modern and contemporary art from Korea and around the world. Those seeking an educational walkthrough can follow along by tuning into curator-led recorded tours.

The Anne Frank House

The Anne Frank House , established in cooperation with the famed diarist’s father, Otto, in 1957, strives to inform the public through educational programs and tours of the building where the teenager and her family hid during World War II. To delve deeper into the story detailed in Frank’s diary, online visitors can watch videos about her life; virtually explore the Secret Annex ; look around the house where she lived before going into hiding; and view the Google Arts and Culture exhibition “ Anne Frank: Her Life, Her Diary, Her Legacy .”

The Vatican Museums

Home to some 70,000 artworks and artifacts spanning centuries, continents and mediums, the 5.5-hectare Vatican Museums are among Italy’s finest cultural institutions. Virtual visitors can tour seven different sections of the sprawling complex, enjoying 360-degree views of the Sistine Chapel , perhaps best known for Michelangelo’s ceiling and Last Judgment fresco; Raphael’s Rooms , where the Renaissance artist’s School of Athens resides; and lesser-known but equally sumptuous locations such as the Pio Clementino Museum, the Niccoline Chapel and the Room of the Chiaroscuri.

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

“Since its founding, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum has maintained a belief in the transformative powers of art,” reads the Manhattan museum’s website . “In uncertain times such as these, art can provide both solace and inspiration.”

In a nod to this mission, the Guggenheim , a cultural center and educational institution devoted to modern and contemporary art, has opened up its collections to online visitors. The building itself, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, is an architectural masterpiece; audiences can listen to an audio guide of its history or journey up its spiral halls via a Google Arts and Culture virtual tour . For those who want to take a deeper dive into the museum’s collections, the Guggenheim’s online database features some 1,700 artworks by more than 625 artists.

The London National Gallery

Take a virtual tour of 18 gallery rooms, enjoy a panoramic view of the museum’s halls and click through a wide collection of artistic masterpieces using the National Gallery ’s virtual tools . Based in London, this museum houses more than 2,300 works reflecting the Western European tradition between the 13th and 19th centuries. Collection highlights include Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers and J.M.W Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire .

NASA Research Centers

For those fascinated by space exploration, NASA offers online visitors the chance to take a behind-the-scenes look inside its facilities. Visitors can take virtual tours of the organization’s research centers, where aeronautic technology is developed and tested, and learn more about the functions of different facilities. The online tour of Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, covers 16 locations, including the Flight Research Hangar and the Katherine Johnson Computational Research Facility. The virtual tour of the Glenn Research Center in Ohio, meanwhile, takes visitors inside facilities such as the Supersonic Wind Tunnel, where high speed flight is researched, and the Zero Gravity Research Facility, where microgravity research is conducted.

The National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City

Home to the world’s largest ancient Mexican art collection, in addition to an extensive collection of ethnographic objects, the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City preserves the country’s indigenous legacy and celebrates its cultural heritage. In collaboration with Google Arts and Culture, the museum has made some 140 items available for online visitors to explore from their homes. Among the objects available for viewing are the famous Aztec calendar sun stone and the striking jade death mask of ancient Mayan king Pakal the Great.

San Francisco’s De Young Museum

One of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco , the de Young Museum ’s new copper-clad building in Golden Gate Park combines art with architecture. The collection features a priceless array of American art dating from the 17th to the 21st centuries, as well as artifacts from Africa and Oceania, modern and contemporary art, costumes, and textiles. Through Google Arts and Culture, the de Young offers 11 exhibits, including “ Cult of the Machine ” and “ Ruth Asawa: A Working Life .”

Housed in a large fortress along the banks of Paris’ Seine River, the Louvre regularly tops rankings of the most-visited museums in the world, with millions of visitors flocking to its halls in search of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa , the Venus de Milo and other instantly recognizable artworks. Virtual tours offered by the Louvre include a walkthrough of the Egyptian antiquities wing and a view of the museum’s moat, which was built in 1190 to protect Paris from invaders.

Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Nadine Daher | | READ MORE

Nadine Daher is a digital intern at Smithsonian magazine. She is a senior at Northwestern, where she studies journalism and international studies.

Expert Museums Tips: How To Have An Enjoyable Museum Visit

Wondering how to tackle a museum? Here are my must know tips for visiting a museum.

As a museum geek of the highest order, I have visited hundreds and hundreds of museum. Based on my experience, I think there are some benchmark rules for the organized museum goer who wants to have the best museum experience.

Museums are some of the most popular tourist attractions for travelers. However, museums can be large, crowded, and intimidating.

If not done right, the experience of visiting a museum can be disappointing or frustrating, even for the experienced museum addict.

To make sure you get a real experience, not a short touristy version, you need some preparation and a little know how. You need some museum tips.

Don’t just show up to a museum. You don’t want to just stumble around hoping to find what you want to see. Or wondering what is worth seeing. You could come out a bit huffy and frustrated.

Museums can be much more appealing, if you’ve done your background research and know what to expect and see. Then, armed with must know museum tips, you can take in the astonishing art without undue confusion, stress, or FOMO.

There are many ways to visit museums, of course. It depends entirely on your own personality and interests. But there are some basic procedures to follow.

How To Prepare For a Museum Visit, Pro Tips

Here are my tips to get the most out of your museum visit. These must know tips and tricks will make your museum visit more efficient, more enjoyable, and less overwhelming.

1. Decide Which Museum To Go To

First you have to decide which museum you want to visit.

If you’re visiting a small city, then it’s pretty simple. You choices will necessarily be limited.

If you’re going to a big city like London or Paris or Rome , then you’re confronted with an overwhelming number of choices. You could spend weeks and weeks visiting all the museums in these cities.

If that’s the case, do your research and pick a museum that matches your interest. You may prefer small less crowded museums to large museums.

You may love an authentic artist studio, historic home, or in situ museum like the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston . Or perhaps you want to see a bucket list masterpiece .

READ : Best Small Museums with Supersized Collections

For me, I love small museums and the periods from the Renaissance to the 20th century. I’m also a huge ruin luster. I’m not keen on sports memorabilia or conceptual art.

There are so many types of museums out there — prehistoric art, old masters, Impressionism, tapestries, photography, fashion, history, cutting edge contemporary, etc. Suit yourself.

Pick one that will excite you personally rather than just checking off what someone else says should be on your bucket list. Trust me, though it’s a beautiful portrait, seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre can be an incredibly underwhelming experience.

2. Identify the Museum’s Masterpieces

Once you’ve chosen a museum to visit, visit the museum’s website. Check out the hours and what day the museum is open.

Then, read up on its collection and highlights. This kind of pre-trip studying will make the art and artifacts more fun and accessible.

Figure out your priorities in advance. It’s not terribly enriching to just wander aimlessly through a museum with no clue what you’re looking at or for.

Does the museum have some famous masterpieces you want to see? What art style do you love? Do you like paintings, sculpture, or artifacts?

If the museum is massive with millions of artworks, you can’t see it all. Pick a collection that suits you. It’s a common misconception that a great museum only has great art. But that isn’t true.

The museum may have collections you love and ones you hate. Skip over the art works that don’t interest you to conserve time and energy.

If you don’t identify what you want to see in advance, you may get stuck seeing the works close to the entrance and miss the treasures that lie deeper in the museum.

3. How Long To Visit A Museum

Another good tip for visiting a museum is to decide in advance how long you want to stay. This may depend on the size of the museum.

Or, it may depend on how long you can stare at art without getting “museum fatigue” and starting to glaze over the artworks. Science has proven that as the length of a museum visit increases, your engagement and attention decrease.

For me, two hours is about right, though I can do longer with breaks. If you want to do two museums in one day, take a long lunch break in between.

If this is the only time in your life you may be at this museum, then stay longer and take a break at the museum itself. Most museums have cafes where you can get a snack, meal, or drink.

Or you can browse the museum bookstore or gift shop. If your ticket permits same day reentry, you can take a walk outside. You can recharge your batteries and then go back for more art.

If you’re at a massive museum like the Louvre, the Met, or the British Museum , you won’t see everything in one visit. These museums are best experienced by going back repeatedly. Other large museums are the same way.

READ : Tips For Visiting the Louvre

4. Learn the Museum Layout

If you’re visiting a big museum, you’ll want to be efficient with your time. In the case, the best museum tip is to look at the layout of the building in advance.

Some museums are shockingly disorganized, sometimes because they’re housed in an ancient or cavernous building. I find the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to be that way, for example.

Also, it’s a good idea to figure out your parking options in advance, if you’re driving to the museum. When you arrive at the museum, pick up a map at the front door, the information desk, or the ticket desk.

5. Take a Virtual Tour of the Museum

Once you’ve figured out what you want to see or to get further inspiration, take a virtual tour of the museum collection or masterpiece you want to see.

Most museums have virtual tours or online collections that you can explore. You can also explore on Google Arts & Culture.

READ : Virtual Tours of 50 Best Museums

6. Learn Out Loud: Listen to Free Podcasts or Films

If you’re not an art expert, museums can be hard to decipher. Podcasts or documentaries are an excellent way to bone up on masterpieces or a particular artist’s artworks you’re planning to see.

Here’s my guide to the best art-related podcasts and my guide to the best art films and documentaries .

Another fantastic source for a quick preview of an artwork is Smarthistory .

7. Get Tickets in Advance

There is a super important museum tip. There’s nothing worse than staring your museum visit by queuing for hours waiting to get in (and then go through another security check).

And that’s the grim reality when visiting many of world famous museums like the Louvre , the Uffizi Gallery , or the Vatican Museums .

I had to queue up one toasty summer for hours for the Vatican Museums. Never again! There are plenty of hidden gems you can visit in Rome that don’t require a taxing wait.

READ : Guide To the Sistine Chapel

To avoid this fate, be smart and purchase your museum ticket online in advance of your visit. You can often do that on the museum website or a service like Get Your Guide or Tiqets.

For some museums — like the Alhambra in Granada or the Borghese Gallery in Rome — you can get tickets months in advance. And they sell out quickly. So plan ahead and don’t arrive empty handed at the landmark museums or sites.

8. Let the Art Speak To You

If you are more type B, sometimes the best way to visit a museum is without any preconceptions. Just go look at the art with a short preview of what’s there beforehand.

Art is entirely subjective. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and people react differently to art. Be open minded and know you’ll see things you haven’t been exposed to before.

If you find an artwork in front of you compelling or interesting in any way, then read the little information “chat” plaque next to the work. If the work holds no interest, walk on by.

You’re not obligated to like any art. Look for another piece that captures your interest.

Sometimes the information provided on the chat label can be valuable. Other times it can be a tad pretentious.

It may even tell you how you’re supposed to feel about the artwork. I occasionally find these labels off-putting or their verbiage indecipherable.

Hold on to your own opinion of a piece or artist.

For example, I’ve read that the Pre-Raphaelites shouldn’t be admired because they were just a group of men paintings pretty pictures of porcelain skinned maidens. Yet, I love the hyper romantic group and Ophelia is one of my favorite paintings.

9. Get a Museum Or Audio Guide

Another way to have an enjoyable and relaxing museum visit is to book a private tour, especially for a very large museum or popular tourist attraction. The tour guides knows the museum very well. You’ll get an in depth look at the museum highlights.

Museums typically have either free or docent museum tours available as well. They are super informative and usually last roughly two hours. And you’ll also have a chance to ask any questions.

If you don’t want a formal guide, many museums have their own dedicated apps you can download to your phone. Use them to navigate the museum and look up individual items in the collection. For some, you punch in a number. Others have a scan function.

Or, you can use the more conventional audio guide.

10. You Don’t Need a Phone or Camera

I take pictures at museums because, as a culture and travel blogger, I have to. However, I think a museum experience is much better without stopping to take pictures. Or even worse, waiting in line to get a photo of a famous masterpiece like the Mona Lisa .

Museums should be a leisurely cell-phone-free experience. Art is meant to be enjoyed and evoke emotion.

It’s better just to admire the art, or soak in the details, without wasting time and energy with your phone or camera. You can always buy a book at the bookstore to revisit the works at home.

11. Museum Shops

I tend to love museum shops. I often pick up a book about the museum itself or about the special exhibition I’m attending.

There are usually a wide variety of souvenirs. And often there are local handicrafts at the shop, some of which are quite beautiful.

12. Dress Sensibly

You can do a lot of walking in museums. But it’s the standing that really gets me. Wear some comfy shoes for all the standing. In some museums, there’s not even a bench to give your feet a respite.

And don’t carry a lot with you. Some museums require you to check anything other than a small handbag. If you don’t check them, you may end up with shoulder fatigue.

Some museums like the Vatican Museums or churches with art collections have a dress code. You won’t be let in if your shoulders and knees aren’t covered.

By the way, in cities like Rome or Florence , the churches house much of the city’s must see art. And they may be free to visit.

READ : Guide To the Best Churches in Rome

13. When To Go To a Museum

Try to go off season. If you’re visiting a super popular museum (the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London , or the Uffizi Gallery in Florence), the crowds can be utterly overwhelming. Visiting in shoulder season is eminently preferable to the summer.

Try to avoid the weekends, if you can. Sunday afternoon is the most popular time for museum-going. I really like going when there’s a late night opening.

Most museums are open late once a week, some until 9:00 pm. The Louvre is open until 9:45 pm on Friday.

14. Consider Visiting A Single Artist Museum

Another good museum tip to try a single artist museum. I find single artists museums or artists studio-museums to be so revelatory. And they don’t have the oppressive crowds of the more famous museums.

If you’re in Paris, go to the Rodin Museum rather than the Louvre . If you’re in Barcelona , go to the Picasso Museum instead of Sagrada Familia .

If you’re in London, try the John Sloane Museum instead of the National Gallery. If you’re in Florence, visit Casa Buonarotti or the Bargello Museum instead of the Uffizi.

And nothing beats a trip to Monet’s House in Giverny France, if you’re road tripping in Normandy or taking a day trip from Paris .

I hope you’ve enjoyed my tips for having a fantastic museum visit. Need more museum destination inspiration? Here are some of my museum guides :

• 75 Art Masterpieces in Europe
• Best Museums in Paris
• Secret Paris Museums That Aren’t the Louvre
• Best Museums in Rome
• Guide To Rome’s Palace Museums
• Best Museums in Florence
• Free Museums in London
• Best Museums in Vienna
• Masterpieces at Paris’ Musee d’Orsay
• Guide To the Uffizi Gallery

If you need tips for visiting a museum, pin it for later.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Last Updated on July 9, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

The Museum Scholar

What’s in a Museum Trip? A close look at how museum educators can facilitate critical thinking

What’s in a Museum Trip? A close look at how museum educators can facilitate critical thinking

Jacqueline du, ma.

The Museum Scholar, Volume 2, Number 1, 2018

Abstract  Elementary school groups visit museums to provide their students with an enriched learning experience supplementing classroom lessons. Museum trips are usually limited in time; about 60-90 minutes including transitions between arrival and departure, and often last-minute transportation woes. How can educators guarantee a successful learning experience in a constricted time frame to students they are meeting for the first time? This article considers voices in the field of museum education, examining critical pedagogy and previous field research of students’ art experiences in museums. Through a case study of kindergarten learners at the Brooklyn Museum, New York, this article presents support for the use of essential questions in framing museum visits for school groups.

Keywords  Museum Education; Critical Thinking; Kindergarten; Inquiry-Based Teaching

About the Author  Jacqueline Du is an art educator for the New York City Department of Education. She is the co-founder of Young Artist Zine Alliance, a free workshop for NYC teens. She was an Education Fellow at the Brooklyn Museum and has also taught school programs at The Museum of Arts & Design and family programs at The Whitney Museum of American Art. She presents regularly at conferences including the National Art Educators Association and the NYC Museum Educators Roundtable. Her work can also be found in the publication  Museums and Public Art from Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Jacqueline received her BFA from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, and MA from City College at City University of New York.

School trips to museums are exciting excursions and can be a fantastic motivating factor for students of any age. Venturing out of school can go beyond amusement when museum educators are able to provide students with an enriching intellectual experience. This article offers suggestions for museum educators to facilitate critical thinking for student groups. In this action-based research project, the primary question was: how can museum educators guarantee a successful learning experience within a one-time school visit?

This research analyzed the effectiveness of the use of an essential question for school groups visiting the Brooklyn Museum, New York. Essential questions provoke thought inquiry and more questions in the student. They are often used by classroom teachers as clearly stated topic questions for their lessons. The author first observed one group’s visit where the museum educator did not have an expressed essential question and learned that many factors affected the students’ thinking and learning. In moments of pause in conversation, the classroom teacher who brought the group often interjected and posed questions that demanded a correct answer, testing students’ knowledge on material they learned in the classroom. While this engaged the students in their thinking about the related topic, this discouraged the museum educator from asking questions that perhaps would have led to an expanded discussion about the art object and theme. While knowledge gain has been studied as a measurement of student learning,[1] fact-based questions stand in opposition with critical pedagogy and current museum educators’ aims. At the conclusion of their guided visit, the museum educator gathered the group in a large open area of the museum and prompted the students to make summative statements about what they learned. Instead, students demonstrated curiosity about the architecture and were not able to demonstrate any conclusive statements about the art objects and theme of the visit. This suggested that the students had not thought critically about the theme throughout the visit.

The next phase explored using an essential question to guide the students’ thinking about the theme. At the Brooklyn Museum, guided gallery visits aim to impart bigger ideas and spark further inquiry. Museum educators build their lessons around an essential question which is defined as:

The essential question is open-ended, thought-provoking, and intellectually engaging. It calls for higher-order thinking, points towards transferrable ideas, and sparks further inquiry. The essential question underpins and links all elements of a visit. [2]

Each group of kindergarten students and their classroom teachers were asked to respond to the same question at the beginning and end of their visit to the museum: What are communities?[3] The kindergarteners were given a blank form for their responses, similar in design to worksheets from their classrooms, with a box for drawing at the top of the page, and widely spaced lines for writing at the bottom half of the page. While this question was carefully chosen through meetings with the school teachers and discussion about what themes the students were learning about in their classrooms, museum educators can gather curricular themes through school contacts during trip registration.

All four groups of students viewed the same artworks and participated in the same activities throughout each of their visits. Students posed as figures in Winter Scene in Brooklyn an 1819-1820 painting of Dutch-style barns and houses in downtown Brooklyn by Francis Guy. They interviewed one another about their own communities and discussed the community roles of artist Faith Ringgold’s figures in For the Woman’s House , a 1971 painting originally created to adorn the walls of Rikers Island Women’s prison. The kindergarteners also sketched the shapes that comprised the figures in Ebony Family , a dress with a 1968 velvet collage by Jae Jarrell. The students then went to the art studio for some printmaking on the theme of community. They worked together in groups, printing together on a large poster board, accumulating their images of favorite community places and future visions of themselves. Students created artwork about their friends, families, and places they love to go.

In their first form responses, many of the drawing and writing areas were blank since the students were unsure of how to answer the question.[4] Many students wrote similar responses such as “communities are people in a group” or “people who work together,” which I found mirrored their classroom teachers’ responses. These initial responses were the “baseline” definition for each class.

In their second responses, most kindergarteners excitedly filled in the forms on their own with more elaborate drawings and lengthier sentences with more complex vocabulary.[5] This was impressive given that the 5 and 6-year-old children were just learning to read and write on their own. In their second drawings, they included more people[6] in closer proximity to one another, expressing a critical understanding that communities are defined by people being together, interacting with one another, with different roles, performing different actions or jobs. Many people were drawn in close proximity to one another, for example, some are holding hands, and expressing joy through smiles on their faces. This was interpreted as friendship, which was a community role we discussed at the artworks. Another students’ drawing depicted people united in their togetherness with matching shirts. One drawing showed figures sitting together on a rug or table, perhaps reading books or making art. The second form response drawings also included more references to specific places with an eight-story building, a playground with a child at the top of a slide, and a detailed sidewalk.[7] These details demonstrated that the students had related the theme of “community” to their own lives, creating meaning for themselves. Their ability to express their varied understandings of communities with examples seen in the museums’ artworks, as well as examples from their own lives, demonstrated that they had thought deeply about the topic of community.

Figure 4: Student drawing and writing response to the essential question.

Figure 5: Student drawing and writing response to the essential question.

Figure 6: Student drawing and writing response to the essential question.

Figure 7: Student drawing and writing response to the essential question.

Figure 8: Student drawing and writing response to the essential question.

Figure 9: Student drawing and writing response to the essential question.

The distinction of an educator-led museum-based thematic learning experience is that students can engage in discussion and activities surrounding an essential question within multiple contexts in a short amount of time. Original art objects incorporate a temporal element, connecting students with historical moments. Ideas can exist beyond secondary texts and reference materials students are accustomed to in their classrooms. The museum space offers concrete and tangible experiences in paintings and artifacts. To support school groups in making the most of their trip experience, museum educators should aim for students to engage in critical thinking about the art objects.

In the field of museum education, critical thinking and higher order thinking has been defined and measured in a myriad of ways. Educational philosopher John Dewey considered learning to be an evolving process that flows between learners and educators,[8] with intellect inseparable from emotion.[9] The antiquated model of a dictating lecturer and the passive student was renounced by the activist educator Paolo Freire who declared that learning should be problem-posing, in which students and educators “become jointly responsible for a process in which all grow.”[10] The museum educator today engages students in an inquiry-based model, facilitating students to build their own meanings and connections with artworks throughout their museum experience. Applying an essential question to the planning process allows for their learning to be specific while addressing the overarching theme.

Students and educators “become jointly responsible for a process in which all grow.”

Brooklyn Museum’s use of the term higher-order thinking can be traced to past analysis of critical thinking in the field of museum education. Several educators and researchers have studied student learning within art museums and measured the impact of inquiry-based experiences on higher-order cognitive thinking. The early 90’s came with a renewal away from docent-guided informational tours in the field of museum education with co-founders of Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS): cognitive psychologist Abigail Housen, and educational researcher Philip Yenawine. They coined the usage of three specific questions: What is going on here?; What do you see that makes you say that?; and What more can you find.[11] This inquiry-based approach is frequently incorporated into experiences led by museum educators today. Housen and Yenawine found evidence that VTS “caused the growth of critical thinking and enables its transfer to other contexts and content.”[12] At the Nasher Museum of Art, educator Juline Chevalier measured when students were able to engage in critical thinking beyond the surface appearances of the art objects– of key details beyond color, line, and shape; how objects may have been used; and narrative elements beyond the scene depicted in a painting.[13] Two recent studies conducted at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art also discovered that the educator-led art experience had a positive impact on students’ critical thinking skills.[14] These measurements of student learning provide concrete examples for museum educators to model their markers of students’ critical thinking.

How can museum educators best ensure that they lead students towards critical thinking? When educators set goals and draft markers of student achievement in a museum setting, we can aim for students to engage in critical thinking within a specific topic and essential question. In this research, exploring the chosen theme through an essential question at each art object allowed students the opportunity to engage in critical thinking about the specific theme continuously throughout their museum experience. Additionally, studio artmaking following the art object viewing component allowed students to visualize a personal connection with the theme of the visit. For school groups visiting museums, learning in a short amount of time framed by an essential question allows students to engage in critical thinking about a topic in relation to their personal lives.

[1] J. Donald, “The Measurement of Learning in the Museum,” Canadian Journal of Education, Vol. 16, No. 3(1991): 374-375.

[2] Brooklyn Museum Education Division, “Gallery Experience Map” (internal documents, Brooklyn Museum, 2016): 1-4.

[3] Author taught four kindergarten class groups in total, administering the form to all classes.

[4] In the first survey, 45 out of 90 students left the writing area blank or wrote incomprehensible text.

[5] In the second survey, teachers and chaperoning parents were asked to allow their children to fill out the forms without any assistance. 17 out of 91 students left the writing area blank or wrote incomprehensible text. A significant number, 29 students, wrote expanded definitions for their second survey. In total, 40 students wrote comprehensive sentences for the written area.

[6] 26 of the first drawings included two or more people, whereas 41 of the second drawings included two or more people.

[7] In the first drawings, 26 included some suggestion of an environment or location. In their second drawings, 47 included a suggestion of environment or location.

[8] John Dewey, “Individuality and experience,” in Art and Education: a Collection of essays , 3rd ed. (Merion, PA: The Barnes Foundation Press, 1929): 35.

[9] John Dewey, Art as Experience , (New York: Penguin Group, 2005), 77.

[10] Paolo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed , 1st ed. (New York: Continuum, 1970), 80.

[11] Abigail Housen, “Aesthetic Thought, Critical Thinking and Transfer,” Arts and Learning Research Journal , Vol. 18, No. 1, (2002): 45-46.

[13] Juline Chevalier, “Words & Pictures: Literacy, Art and Common Core Together,” Journal of Museum Education , Vol. 40, No. 3, (2015): 227-237.

[14] Brian Kisida, Daniel H. Bowen, & Jay P. Greene, “Measuring Critical Thinking: Results From an Art Museum Field Trip Experiment,” Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness , Vol. 9 (2016): 171-187.

Burnham, R., & Kai-Kee, E. Teaching in the art museum (1st ed.). Los Angeles, Calif.: J. Paul Getty Museum, 2011.

Chevalier, J. “Words & Pictures: Literacy, Art and Common Core Together.” Journal of Museum Education , 40(3), (2015): 227-237. DOI: 10.1179/1059865015z.00000000099

Crum, M. & Hendrick, K. “Multicultural Critical Reflective Practice and Contemporary Art.” In Multiculturalism in Art Museums Today, edited by Acuff, J. B. & Evans, L.. Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

Cuffaro, H. Experimenting with the world (1st ed.). New York: Teachers College Press, 1995.

Dewey, J. Individuality and experience. In Art and Education: a Collection of essays (3rd ed.). Merion, PA: The Barnes Foundation Press, 1929.

Dewey, J. Art as experience (1st ed.). New York: Penguin Group, 2005.

Donald, J. “The Measurement of Learning in the Museum.” Canadian Journal of Education , 16(3) (2017): 371-382. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1494885

Duke, L. “The Museum Visit: It’s an Experience, Not a Lesson.” Curator: The Museum Journal , 53(3) (2010): 271-279. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.2151-6952.2010.00028.x

Freire, P. Pedagogy of the oppressed (1st ed.). New York: Continuum, 1970.

Greene, M. “EXCELLENCE AND THE BASICS.” Current Issues in Education, 4 (1984): 22-28. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43782983

Housen, A. “Aesthetic Thought, Critical Thinking and Transfer.” Arts and Learning Research Journal , 18(1) (2002): 99-132.

Hubard, O. “Concepts as Context: Thematic Museum Education and its Influence on Meaning Making.” International Journal of Art & Design Education , 33(1) (2014): 103-115. DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-8070.2014.12001.x

Kisida, B., Bowen, D., & Greene, J. “Measuring Critical Thinking: Results From an Art Museum Field Trip Experiment.” Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness , 9 (2015): 171-187. DOI: 10.1080/19345747.2015.1086915

Marcus, A., & Kowitt, J. “Museum Footnotes: Helping Student Visitors Understand Museums.” Journal of Museum Education , 41(4) (2016): 353-362. DOI: 10.1080/10598650.2016.1219584

Templeton, D. “Critical Thinking and Teaching Art.” Art Education , 22(1) (1969): 4. DOI: 10.2307/3191305

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Museum Visitor Research

Mark Walhimer October 27, 2018 Exhibition Evaluation , Museum Audience Research , Museum Visitor Experience Book , Museum Visitor Research 4 Comments

Museum Audience Research / Museum Visitor Research is the study of visitor behavior, by overall museum market, geographic area or individual visitor behavior.

Museum Audience Research is the understanding of the overall museum market.  Museum visitor research is a subset of museum audience research or studying the entire group of visitors to a museum versus the individual visitor to the museum.

Museum visitor study, is the process to understand museum visitor behavior and outcomes.  Museum visitor behavior may include museum visitor satisfaction (or the lack of museum visitor satisfaction), museum visitor interests, and visitor previous knowledge.   The museum visitor outcome may include educational objectives, interest (or lack of interest in returning to museum) and reaction to the overall museum experience.  

Museum Visitor / Museum Audience Research:

• Museum Market Research – Understanding of the museum market as an entity.  Usually divided by larger geographic areas; United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia 
• Museum Market (Geographic Area) Research – Understanding the geographic area of the museum; usually divided by geographic areas within an hour drive of a museum.  
• Museum Audience Research – Understanding the entire visitorship of a museum as a group
• Museum Visitor Research – Understanding the individuals that visit a museum 

Four Phases of Museum Visitor Research:

• Front-end Evaluation
• Formative Evaluation
• Remedial Evaluation
• Summative Evaluation

Front-end Evaluation:

Provides background about the visitors’ prior knowledge and experience and gather  their expectations regarding a proposed exhibition.  The primary goal of front-end evaluation is to learn about the audience before an exhibition has been designed to better understand how visitors will respond to an exhibition. This information can help assure that the final product will meet visitor needs and project goals.

Formative Evaluation:

Provides information about how well a proposed exhibition communicates its intended messages. Formative evaluation occurs while a project is under development. The evaluator measures visitor responses to models, plans, or prototypes of the program or exhibit. A prototype is a working version of an interactive exhibit, label and it should closely resemble the final product, although it may be more roughly constructed.  The more developed the model or prototype, the more likely visitor reactions in the formative stage will anticipate their reactions to the final product.

The formative evaluation process is repeated until the exhibition developers are satisfied with the items being tested.  Information from formative evaluation is used to make changes to improve the design of a program or exhibit before it is implemented.

Remedial Evaluation:

Takes place once an exhibition is open to the public. It is useful in troubleshooting problems and informs museum staff and designers about improvements that can be made to maximize the visitor experience.  Remedial evaluation is useful for addressing problems that could not be foreseen during the development a program or exhibit, such as lighting, crowd flow and signage issues.

Summative Evaluation:

Tells about the impact of a project after it has completed. lt is conducted after the exhibit has opened to the public or after a program has been presented. Summative evaluation can be as simple as documenting who visits an exhibit or participates in a program, or it can be as complex as a study of what visitors learned. Generally, the results of summative evaluation will be used to improve future activities through an understanding of existing programs.  Summative evaluation uses a variety of methods at the conclusion of an exhibition or program to check whether it delivered the messages that were intended and what learning occurred; how satisfied people were with the program; as well as the performance of the marketing strategy. It is conducted on the finished exhibit or program and its components, using a combination of internal sources (Project Team, other staff) and external feedback (visitors, special interest groups, others).

The goal of Museum Audience Research is to better understand visitors emotional and intellectual reaction to their museum experience in order to create more fulfilling experiences for the visitor

 Addition Articles:

• Museum Evaluation Resources
• Empathy as Central to Museum Design Thinking
• Why I am Writing Museum Customer Experience
• Museum Net Promoter Score
• Museum Omni Experiences
• Museum Alignment
• Design Thinking for Museums
• Museum CX – Part I
• Museum Customer Experience (CX)
• Museum Accessibility Standards
• Museum Branding in 10 Steps
• Building a Museum Brand
• In a Perfect Museum World
• How To Increase Museum Attendance
• Museums are Communication

Museum Audience Research / Museum Visitor Research Resources:

• Visitor Studies Association
• Smithsonian Center for Learning and Digital Access (SCLDA)
• American Educational Research Association
• Online Evaluation Resource Library
• American Evaluation Association

I wonder if you have some experience on exhibition evaluation for children and parents:)，would you please share something about exhibition evaluation about children museum? Thank you so much！

Hi Yvette, Thank you for the message. I am currently providing Summative Evaluation for the Strong Museum in Rochester a children’s museum. The process of evaluation is the same regardless of museum “type”. Sample Summative Evaluation: Summative Evaluation of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan’s EatSleepPlay Exhibition https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WMGaPUCwomPduOvCArrO-ypp2FqiBaHF/view?usp=sharing

Best, – Mark

If someone has an interesting collection that he believes can attract a large amount of people that would be willing to pay a admittance fee at the door, would your firm consider help bringing the exhibition to fruition? Very interesting content. Thank you

Thank you for the message, This is a common question. Museums are part of civil society and museums “lose money”, one of the litmus tests of the IRS is does the non-profit need to fund raise for at least 1/3 of revenue. If the answer is “no” they are an attraction, and a for profit business. I only know of one for profit museum the Spy Museum in Washington D.C. and I could make the argument that they are not a museum.

– Mark

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

The Benefits of Visiting a Museum

Nina Relf 21 May 2021 min Read

François Biard, Four Hours At The Salon, 1847, Louvre, Paris, France.

Recommended

Art State of Mind

10 Masterpieces for Boosting Good Feng Shui in Your House

10 Best Movies Related to Art for Time Spent in Quarantine

10 Art Masterpieces to Calm Your Anxiety

During the protracted coronavirus lockdown, when all the art we see is digital , we can reflect on that which we took for granted before. There are so many benefits to visiting a museum. But what is it that makes us visit museums over and over again?

It is hard to imagine the corridors of some of the most popular museums around the world as completely empty. Free of the crowds that would normally surround The Mona Lisa , it becomes eerie to picture the Louvre Museum with nobody in sight. The world’s most famous portrait with no one looking back at her. The time of visiting museums seems so long ago. Yet back then, we probably took for granted just how easy it was to go and see artworks. Since digital access is the only way to access them currently, we can reflect on the benefits of visiting a museum and seeing artworks in person. Whilst we wait until we are able to visit museums again, you can access a list of the best museums to visit virtually .

1. Getting up close and personal with the artworks

In this time of self-isolation, it is easy to feel distanced from all things art-related. We begin to miss the brightness of colors and seeing the painted brushstrokes in front of our eyes. You get a special feeling inside when you see the real artwork for the first time. The anticipation of what it will look like in real life is met with sheer excitement. In the case of some installation works, we are even allowed to touch and interact with the artworks. In the recent exhibition Anthony Gormley at the Royal Academy in London, the visitors were allowed to step over, under and through huge circles of metal wire.

As a whole experience, it feels exclusive and new. The opportunity to see the real thing often defies all our expectations from the static, two-dimensional images that we have seen online. But now, these online images are all we have.

2. Mindfulness from visiting a museum

If you have ever experienced being alone in a gallery room with a work of art, you will know that it is a feeling that is hard to replicate. You feel like you have been taken to a different world, that you have travelled back in time. You are standing before the artist’s masterpiece as if it has just been created. When you start looking at every tiny detail, there is so much to see, almost too much. You could spend hours in front of just a single artwork.

3. Visiting a museum for that perfect Instagram shot

We have all been guilty of this at least once. We live in an era where it has become the norm to constantly post images of where we are and what we are doing. If you did not put that picture of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers on Instagram, did you even go the National Gallery?

Of course, this has a huge benefit. The ability to scroll through Instagram and see artworks from all over the world, in high definition and all in one place, is incredible. It is a huge advantage to all of us who love art, who are currently unable to visit museums. It is difficult to imagine a time when this was not available. Social media allows us to access so much art at just the touch of our fingertips. But all of our Instagram feeds are missing those aesthetically pleasing gallery shots at the moment. Maybe the time has come to scroll back to a few months ago on our camera roll. Dig out an old photo and do a throwback post to something that we never uploaded before. We have got to perfect our Instagram profiles and update our followers, after all!

To view some perfect shots of artworks from museums across the world, you can access a list of the best museum accounts to follow on Pinterest .

4. A once-in-a-lifetime exhibition is worth visiting a museum for

Exhibitions are what draw a huge number of people to galleries every year. Unfortunately, some incredible exhibitions have been disrupted by the closure of museums due to the coronavirus outbreak. Titian: Love, Art and Desire at the National Gallery in London opened for just three days before it had to be closed due to the lockdown. For the first time in four centuries, the six paintings created as a series for Prince Phillip of Spain had been displayed together from galleries across the world.

Also at The National Gallery, Artemisia was planned to open this month – an exhibition dedicated to the female artist Artemisia Gentileschi. The exhibition was postponed because a lot of the artworks had to be sent from Italy and America to England, something that became impossible in light of the global situation. The chance to see an exhibition that is normally only open for a short period of time is what inspires so many people to visit museums. It is something that you would not want to miss, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

5. Visiting the gift shop of dreams

Art history books galore, postcards, magnets, prints, posters, even Picasso earrings: they have it all. It becomes part of the experience, the opportunity to take a tiny bit of the gallery home with you. A chance to recreate the gallery in your own home, in the form of a poster or a small postcard for your pin-board. Perhaps one of the best gift shops is in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It is filled with the most beautiful textile patterns, scarves, tote bags, notebooks, and more. Another amazing example is the huge gift shop under the pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Many museums have their own online shops which you can still visit if you do not want to miss out on this shopping experience whilst in lockdown.

These are just some of the benefits of visiting a museum. Whether you want to explore a new city or see a particular artwork that never gets boring regardless of how many times you have seen it, museums have so much to offer. The chance to be in the presence of some of the most renowned artworks is something we take for granted. The lockdown has made us miss this physical contact with works of art and the contemplative experience that comes with it. But perhaps, when museums do reopen, we will enjoy the experience even more than we did before. The next time we are at a museum, maybe we will just stop for a moment and appreciate how much our minds can be transformed by looking at art.

• Royal Academy of Arts
• Villa Farnesina

Get your daily dose of art

Click and follow us on Google News to stay updated all the time

We love art history and writing about it. Your support helps us to sustain DailyArt Magazine and keep it running.

DailyArt Magazine needs your support. Every contribution, however big or small, is very valuable for our future. Thanks to it, we will be able to sustain and grow the Magazine. Thank you for your help!

I am 22 years old, living near London and an aspiring Curator. I have just graduated from The Courtauld Institute of Art with a Masters degree in the History of Art, and I am a lover of painting, feminist art criticism and reading!    

4 European Events Harmonizing Art, Nature, and Techno Music

Techno and electronic music have always shared an intimate relationship with art, intertwining rhythms, beats, and melodies with visual expressions...

Celia Leiva Otto 30 May 2024

10 Gift Ideas from 10 Museums Around the World

If you are struggling with inspiration for great gifts, do not fret! DailyArt Magazine is here to help. Today, we will go around the world looking...

Joanna Kaszubowska 11 January 2024

Christmas Cards Made by Artists

One of the most cherished Christmas traditions is the exchange of cards, a practice rooted in the early 19th century when John Callcott Horsley made...

Andreea Iancu 7 February 2024

We Love Museums! Discover the Best Spots Local to Our Staff and Contributors

Can you believe it? DailyArt Magazine is turning seven! To celebrate this exciting milestone, we asked our incredible staff and talented contributors...

Ania Kaczynska 12 July 2023

Never miss DailyArt Magazine's stories. Sign up and get your dose of art history delivered straight to your inbox!

My Study Times

Education through Innovation

Visit to a Museum : Essay, Speech, Report, Article, Composition, IELTS Cue Card

Visit to a museum : essay, speech, report, article, composition, ielts cue card.

“Museums are managers of consciousness. They give us an interpretation of history, of how to view the world and locate ourselves in it. They are, if you put it in positive terms, great educational institutions “.

I had a chance to visit to The Assam State museum while I was in Guwahati for a vacation few years ago. I did not know that the visit would be so captivating. When we are a child we do not understand the value to such things. Even if we go to an art gallery or museum, we are simply at a rush to see one after another all the things and just pass by the artifacts displayed. But that is not the case when we grow up. We understand that each an everything displayed are having some reason for being there.

Talking about the experience, when we entered the museum there were many people along with school children who were accompanied by their teachers. Most probably they were on an educational trip.

The sculpture sections preserved many such treasures from the powerful dynasties who ruled Assam. The statues were excavated from all over Assam and some were found buried amidst the urban areas. Those were found during construction of buildings.

The museum preserves 14,000 objects and 5,000 are on display. The Museum is divided into sections such as ethnography, sculpture, painting, village life section, etc. New galleries have also been added such as the Woodcraft gallery and Natural history gallery. To go through each and every object properly, it would probably take a whole day.

The village life section was very nice to see. A traditional village with all its rural getup is very nicely replicated in display. All the objects definitely have a history behind it and the true interpretation may or may not be actually known. The mystery therefore makes history and historical objects a subject to be researched and discussed always.

The visit was very educative and therefore it was overall a very nice experience. It reminds us of our glorious past and a journey through the museum actually gives a full glimpse of the history of Assam.

Questions on Visit to a Museum

• A visit to a Museum
• My First Visit to Museum
• Experience about visit to a Museum
• Essay on Museum
• Paragraph on visit to a Museum
• Essay on Visit to a Museum
• Article on Visit to Museum
• Speech on Visit to a Museum
• Brief Report on Visit to a Museum
• Visit to a Museum IELTS CUE Card

About Charmin Patel

Blogger and Digital Marketer by Choice and Chemical Engineer By Chance. Computer and Internet Geek Person Who Loves To Do Something New Every Day.

Museum Report Writing TIPS

Museum report writing usually starts with a visit to a local museum. A student may select any of the museums listed in the assignment requirements or approve with the supervisor a choice of his/her own. Selecting a museum not listed in the assignment without clearing it with the supervisor can result in a failing grade.

At the Museum

At the museum, the student selects an object/objects that intrigue(s) him/her. However, it/they must fit within the time period being covered in class. It is necessary to carefully examine the object(s) chosen and make a photograph or a sketch of it (them) to keep the visual image(s) for later reviews. The student has also to be sure all identification data is carefully written down, including the artist, the title, the date, and the medium. This will be later needed both for format and referencing and for additional information search.

Analyzing the Object

The next stage is dedicated to object analysis. The student has to be able to both describe and interpret the chosen object. Interpretations of works of art should first proceed from visual analysis toward historical analysis . Having made a good grasp of the form and having acquired historical information about the work of art, the process of understanding involves a constant interplay between formal and historical analysis.

Making Notes

It is impossible to prepare the full museum report directly at the museum. That is why the student has to make notes while observing the object and save its visual image, but the research and interpretation have to be made later, at home.

The following questions might help while writing a museum report :

• Identify the work. Who is the artist? The title? The date? Do you know the medium (material) that was used? Has the piece been damaged or repaired in any way? What do you think may have caused this damage? Was the piece originally painted? Do you see any traces of paint left on its surface?
• If the artist is unknown, are we aware of anything about the artist’s life or personality that may have affected his/her creation of the work?
• During what time period and where was the work created? Discuss what was going on in the cultural, political, economic, or social spheres at the time it was produced which may, or may not have affected its production.
• What is the subject depicted? What is its meaning? Is the subject recognizable to you? Do you think it would have been recognizable to the people during the time in which it was created? Are there any symbols apparent? If so, what are they? Are they symbols which are understandable to you, or to the people in the society in which the piece was made?
• Was the piece commissioned by a king or ruler? Or produced for a temple? Did the object have a purpose in this culture (e.g. a harp played at funerals, or a vessel for storing wine)?

Writing the Museum Report

Often, the museum report requirements do not include an introduction and conclusion but simply require several paragraphs each describing a particular work of art. In this case, the format of the work is to state the title of the work, artist’s name, the date, and medium, and then to write a paragraph underneath. Titles for art works should be underlined or in italics. The paragraphs should include some formal analysis but deal primarily with historical and contextual information about the artists and their works. Historical and contextual information includes the biography of the artists, style or period, and what kind of social and political context might have encouraged the creation of such an image also the meaning of the work through its iconography.

General recommendations for writing a museum report :

• An introduction, body, and conclusion are usually required.
• Visual images of the art piece (a postcard, photograph, or a sketch) included.
• Intellectual analysis which demonstrates research and effort.
• Proper format (MLA, APA, etc.) used for all bibliographic entries.
• Correct grammar and spelling, careful proofreading.
• No plagiarism.

Source: AEssay Team

If you find this article not helpful enough or you are not sure how to write a good museum report, you can order Museum Report from our AEssay Custom Writing Team or ask for academic advice.

Related Articles

Essays About Art / Museum Reports

• Impacts Experience
• New Articles

Thought Fuel

10 Reasons to Visit a Museum

Want to do something good for yourself and the people you love? Go to a museum.

Museums, in this article, include art, history, and specialty museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums, botanic gardens, arboretums, nature centers, historic sites and similar institutions.

1.  Museums make you feel good

. Times are tight in this economic climate, and it’s often easy to use a museum admission price as an excuse to stay at home. However, a recent study conducted by Harris Interactive finds that people are happier when they spend money on experiences rather than material purchases.  According to Leaf Van Boven, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at CU-Boulder,  experiences are shown to create more happiness than material goods because they provide positive personal reinterpretations over time. That is, as we revisit the memory of our trip to the museum, we have a tendency to psychologically weed out any negative memories (should there be any). Experiences, such as visiting a museum, can also become a meaningful part of one’s identity and contribute to successful social relationships in a manner that material items cannot. So consider foregoing an outing for items that you may not need; going to the museum will make you happier in the long run.

2.  Museums make you smarter

. There is no doubt that a primary role of museums is to engage and educate the community.  Museum exhibits inspire interest in an area of study, item, time period, or an idea – but there’s more going on in museums in regard to education than one might think. Schools rely heavily on museums to enhance the their curriculum. The New York Museum Education Act , for example, aims to create a partnership between schools and cultural institutions to prepare students for the 21st century.  Galleries are becoming classrooms , and not just for kids. Even the museums themselves have interesting histories to inspire and educate visitors. It becomes nearly impossible to exit a museum without having gained any information or insight during your visit.

3.  Museums provide an effective way of learning

. Museums are examples of informal learning environments, which means they are devoted primarily to informal education — a lifelong process whereby individuals acquire attitudes, values, skills, and knowledge from daily experience and the educative influences and resources in his or her environment. Even outside of museums, informal learning plays a pivotal role in how we take in the world around us. In fact, The U.S. Department of Labor estimates 70% or more of work-related learning occurs outside formal training.  A single visit to a museum can expose visitors to in-depth information on a subject, and the nature of the museum environment is one in which you can spend as much or as little time as you like exploring exhibits. The environment allows you to form your own unique experiences and take away information that interests you. Despite the success that museums have already had in educating visitors, there continue to be ongoing discussions among institutions in regard to increasing museums’ ability to connect through informal learning.

4.  Museums are community centers

. Museums are a lot more than collections of artifacts; they allow you to meet with neighbors, discuss thoughts and opinions, and become an active part of the community .  There have been yoga classes at MoMA and Rock Band Summer Camps at the Experience Music Project.  Museums are increasingly holding art chats, book signings, professional development classes, and even wine festivals and farmer’s markets. Something is going on everywhere — just pull up the web page of a local museum (or hop on their Facebook page) and see what they have to offer!

5.  Museums inspire

6.  Museums help bring change and development to communities

. Research has uncovered that creating community involvement is more about location than the activity at hand, and this kind of location-based learning (like the kind utilized in museums) is a trigger for change and development within the community. As museums are functioning more and more like community centers in providing access to current research and new ideas, they’ve become hot-spots for civic engagement . In museums, even (in some cases, especially) children are actively asked to take part in their communities . The promotion of education and the cultivation of conversation that is taking place in museums across the nation shapes and strengthens our neighborhoods.

7.  Museums are a great way to spend time with friends and family

. Museums provide a great excuse to spend time with friends and family in a positive way. Personal connections can be made with museums and also with family members during visits. A day at the museum often translates to a day spent with loved ones as fathers and mothers transform into tour guides , and the environment provides a shared learning experience. Want to take a date to a museum? Here’s how to do it

8.  A museum may be your next community partner or business endeavor

. It takes a lot of employees to help run America’s approximately 17,500 museums and it takes countless businesses and community partners to keep them functioning. Museums need everything from printing services, to video surveillance, to dino-glue– and they are inextricably woven into the web of American government and businesses. If you are not a direct business provider for a museum, you can get some great PR and possibly borrow an artifact or two for a big meeting if you are willing to contribute a monetary gift to a museum. Alternatively, you can follow the lead of these entrepreneurs who are creating their own museums. Or, at the very least, businessmen and entrepreneurs can trace the development of the National Museum of Entrepreneurship in Denver, and perhaps pay them a visit within the next few years.

9.  Museums need your support in order to keep educating and inspiring people

Many museums are nonprofit entities with missions to educate and inspire audiences – and that means that they need the support of visitors, members, and donors in order to keep on fulfilling those missions. Sadly, many people don’t even know that museums are nonprofit organizations ! Often, a membership pays itself off in as few as three annual visits to a museum, and you can come back and visit the museum again and again all year round.  If you like a cultural organization and you want to keep it around for decades to come (so that you may bring your great-grandchildren), make a donation or fill out that membership card with pride! In many ways, supporting a museum through visitation or – even better – through membership or philanthropic support is a way of strengthening communities and giving back so that the museum can create impactful programs that fulfill its mission.

10.  There is a museum close to you

According to the American Association of Museums (now the American Alliance of Museums since the original publication of this post)  museums average approximately 865 million visits per year or 2.3 million visits per day. That’s a lot of museum visits! It doesn’t hurt that there are museums in every state. To find one near you, try the Official Museum Directory . By conducting a search on the Internet, you may find some rather unusual and interesting museums worth checking out. From the Museum of Wooden Nickles in San Antonio to the Asphalt Museum in Rohnert Park, California, there is certainly something for everyone.

IMPACTS Experience  provides data and expert analysis to many of the world’s leading organizations through its workshops, keynote presentations, webinars, and data services such as pricing studies, market potential analyses, concept testing, and Awareness, Attitude, and Usage studies.  Learn more.  

We publish new national data and analysis every other Wednesday. Don’t want to miss an update?  Subscribe here  to get the most recent data and analysis in your inbox.

Over 60% Of Recent Visitors Attended Cultural Organizations As Children (DATA)

People Trust Museums More Than Newspapers. Here Is Why That Matters Right Now (DATA)

A Visit to a Museum – A Report for 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th Classes

We are providing you the report on A Visit to a Museum . We are hopeful that this report shall be beneficial for the students of 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th classes.

Point to Remember -The report must look real. So try to put some real material into your reports.

A Visit to a Museum

Visits are always beautiful and fill a person’s mind with joy and enthusiasm. But if that visit is educational, learning based, that provides us invaluable knowledge as well. Last week, our school also arranged such a visit. We went to a Museum located in the Canal Rest House in Binjhol, 5 km away from the main area of Panipat. We reached at 9:00 am but its opening timing was 10:00 am. So we had to wait for an hour.

There was the entry fee of Rs 10/-per candidate. However, there was some discount for the students. Panipat Museum is one of the most famous places of historical collections. We find here the relics of three battles of Panipat which had significant role in shaping the history of India.

Here we saw photographs collected from Victoria and Albert Museum of London, National Museum Delhi and British Library. Besides we saw the replicas of artifacts, coins, weapons, potteries chiefly donated by Dept of Archeology and Museums of Haryana.

In addition, we also got the chance to view tradition and culture of ancient Haryana. After spending two hours, we came out of the Museum. We also took our lunch in the hotel outside. It was certainly a memorable and knowledgeable visit. The things we had seen there are still fresh in our memories.

10+2 Medical

For reading more reports/paragraph use this link.

If students want us to writer some reports/ paragraphs/ articles, they can send their requests via comment box below. You can also send us their feedback using the same platform. Best of luck your final exams.

Latest Comments

Your class recently went on a day trip to a museum of communication. Your teacher has asked you to write a report on the trip

Please write a report on Calcutta police museum

Report on Central Museum on Indore

Please write a report on history of museum in Nigeria with some years

Please write a report on ‘My visit to GANDHI SMRITI ‘

Join the Discussion Cancel reply