Today is International Museum Day which was created in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). Its aim is to make the general public aware of how important museums are in developing society. International Museum Day has been celebrated all over the world since 1977. Each year, a theme is decided on by the Advisory Committee. The event provides the opportunity for museum professionals to meet the public and alert them to the challenges that museums face if they are to be - as in the ICOM definition of museums - "an institution in the service of society and of its development".
Museums for Social harmony
This year, the theme of International Museum Day is ìMuseums for social harmonyî. Harmony is a concept significant for both Humanity and for representing Eastern cultures. The basis of social harmony lies in dialogue, tolerance, coexistence and development, based on pluralism, difference, competition and creativity. Fundamentally, social harmony is "to agree but to stand out, to look for common ground but keeping the difference."
THEMES FROM PAST YEARS
2010 "Museums for social harmony"
2009 "Museums and tourism"
2008 "Museums as agents of social change and development"
2007 "Museums and Universal Heritage"
2006 "Museums and young people"
2005 "Museums bridging cultures"
An International Event
From America to Oceania, through Europe, Asia and Africa, International Museum Day is a widely popular event. In 2009, it experienced record participation of almost 20,000 museums, who organized activities in more than 90 countries.
Regional Partnerships
Last Saturday 16 May, 2010, in Europe, the 6th edition of the European night of museums announced International Museum Day. In the US, the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) will take part in the International Museum Day, offering free or reduced-rate tickets in the 20,000 member museums in the US, Canada and Mexico.
From the most serious activities to the most fascinating
On and around 18 May, 2010, the global community of museums will celebrate International Museum Day and, as always, will exercise their imagination by organising discovery tours by day or night, fascinating visits, workshops and conferences for all ages. From national to local activities, the 2010 edition of International Museum Day promises to be a highly memorable day. Yoga sessions are being organised in some Spanish museums, Canada is preparing visits of interactive virtual rooms, and in Senegal, a theatre afternoon and many more events should not be missed!
It has been recommended that this celebration be held each year on 18 May (Given that each country has its own specific traditions and conditions, we recommend that members organise their events around 18 May), in the spirit of the motto: ´ Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, co-operation and peace among peoples ªThe Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) announced that member institutions will be participating in International Museum Day on May 18, 2010 by offering free or reduced admission, special programs, or other initiatives as part of their celebrations. AAMD member museums located across the United States, Canada, and Mexico include smaller regional museums as well as leading international institutions.
International Museum Day is organized annually around the world by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). AAMD participation will help focus attention on the important roles that art museums serve in their communities, further showcase their remarkable collections, and increase opportunities for audiences to engage with the many educational programs art museums offer.
"We believe that art museums are crucial to our understanding of world history and cultures, and provide a unique and irreplaceable public service," said Michael Conforti, president of AAMD and director of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. AAMD is committed to exploring new ways to underscore the value of the visual arts in civic society, and we are excited to join with the global community of museums to focus on this message of public service.î
AAMD members participating in International Museum Day in 2010 include:
American Folk Art Museum (seen left) ï Arkansas Arts Center ï Art Gallery of Ontario ï Art Institute of Chicago ï Artpace San Antonio ï Asia Society Museum ï Asian Art Museum of San Francisco ï Aspen Art Museum ï Bass Museum of Art ï Brigham Young University Museum of Art ï Carnegie Museum of Art ï Cleveland Museum of Art ï Columbia Museum of Art ï Columbus Museum ï Columbus Museum of Art ï Currier Museum of Art ï David and Alfred Smart Museum of Art ï Dayton Art Institute ï Delaware Art Museum ï Des Moines Art Center ï Dixon Gallery and Gardens ï El Museo del Barrio ï Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco ï Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art ï Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum ï Frick Art and Historical Center ï Frick Collection ï Frist Center for the Visual Arts ï Georgia Museum of Art ï Guggenheim Museum ï Hammer Museum ï Henry Art Gallery ï Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston ï Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum ï Kimbell Art Museum ï Madison Museum of Contemporary Art ï Meadows Museum, SMU ï Metropolitan Museum of Art ï Miami Art Museum ï Montclair Art Museum ï Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts ï Museo Dolores Olmedo Patino ï Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego ï Museum of Fine Arts, Houston ï Museo Franz Mayer ï Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University ï Nasher Sculpture Center ï National Gallery of Canada ï National Museum of Wildlife Art ï New Orleans Museum of Art ï Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts ï Philadelphia Museum of Art ï Phoenix Art Museum ï Portland (Oregon) Art Museum ï Princeton University Art Museum ï San Francisco Museum of Modern Art ï Snite Museum of Art ï Spencer Museum of Art ï Taft Museum of Art ï The Noguchi Museum ï 
The Phillips Collection ï The Wolfsonian (seen left) ï Vero Beach Museum of Art ï Virginia Museum of Fine Arts ï Walker Art Center ï Westmoreland Museum of American Art,Whitney Museum of American Art ï Wichita Art Museum ï Yale University Art Gallery
The ICOM Secretariat invites all members to celebrate International Museum Day around 18 May.
