The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to encourage public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society.

From America to Oceania, through Europe, Asia and Africa, International Museum Day is a special moment for the museum community. On this day, participating museums interpret an issue that concerns all cultural organisations. International Museum Day is also a fantastic opportunity for museum professionals to meet their public. At the heart of society, museums are institutions dedicated to its development.

Traditionally, International Museum Day is organised around 18 May. It can last a day, a weekend or a whole week, the objective being to meet at the museum with the motto: “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples”.

Each year, IMD gathers more museums from all around the world. In 2012, 32,000 museums from 129 countries on five continents participated in the event.