Museums I’d Love to Visit (New List)

It has been quite some time since I last posted. Apart from re-visiting the exhibition ‘Water’ at the Gallery of Modern Art, I have been preparing for my upcoming trip to America. There are going to be so many museums and heritage places to write about! Until then, I am continuing my yearly tradition of writing something for Valentine’s Day. A couple of years ago I created my first list of museums I’d love to visit. Last year, I reviewed the list and discovered that between writing the post in 2017 and reviewing it in 2019, I had managed to visit them all except one, Museum of Broken Relationships. One day, I keep telling myself.

Until then, why not create a new list! There are quite a few museums I’d absolutely love to visit but, for the purposes of this post, I’m only going to write about my top 5. As always, they are in no particular order. More like a stream of consciousness that’s unfolding as I’m typing. If you want to mention any that are on your list remember to leave a comment.

1. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)

A couple of years ago at the Australian Museums and Galleries Association conference I heard a talk presented by someone who had worked with SFMOMA. You can already tell that my memory is not my strong point. [Thank you to Laura Miles who reached out after I published this post and informed me that the speaker was Keir Winesmith].

They were discussing their work which involved creating and installing interactives. One of their most significant projects was installing the interactive called ‘Self Composed’ at SFMOMA. Visitors are encouraged to interact with a scanner by placing items from their pockets, or even just their hands, onto the screen. Another camera is facing the visitor and basically an image of them appears only in the dark spaces created by the objects sitting on the screen. I’ve included an image below so you can see what I mean.

 

Ever since hearing about this, and other interactives at SFMOMA, I’ve really wanted to visit. I want to be able to experience this level of interactivity in an art gallery. Also, a great excuse to return to San Francisco and explore the city more!

SFMOMA is open every day (except for Wednesday) from 10am to 5pm (9pm on Thursdays). Entrance is ticketed and you can pre-purchase your tickets online. I will include the website of each museum in this post so click here if you want to learn more about SFMOMA.

2. Science Gallery, Melbourne

I am very intrigued to visit this museum considering there is a focus on combining art with science. Only opening in its current form in 2020, the Science Gallery in Melbourne is part of the Global Science Gallery Network. What really makes me want to visit is the range of innovative and fascinating exhibitions they have either developed or are in the process of developing.

Take, for example, their upcoming show MENTAL, a full spectrum look at mental health. This exhibition is being co-created and co-designed by young adults and aims to confront societal bias and stigma (all in a comfortable, safe place). This will be the first exhibition in their new Gallery that is set to open in early 2021. This museum is literally growing and evolving over time and I cannot wait to visit some time next year. Click here to find out more.

3. Micropia, Amsterdam

I have only discovered this museum very recently….at the beginning of this year. It popped up on my Facebook feed and I thought, yes – that looks like a museum for me. Micropia is the only museum in the world dedicated to microbes. You know, the billions of things you have on you right now.

This museum aims to close some of the gaps between science and what is known by the general public. After reading the following on their website, “one thing is sure: after visiting Micropia, you will never see yourself, or the world, in the same way again”, I was even more determined to add it to my list.

Micropia is open Monday through Sunday from 9am to 6pm (Monday – Wednesday, Sunday) and to 8pm from Thursday – Saturday. Entry is ticketed. Discover more on their website here.

4. The National WWII Museum, New Orleans

I am cheating a little with this one because I will be visiting this museum next month. Still, I haven’t been before so that’s how I’m justifying adding it to the list. The National WWII Museum is located in New Orelans and is housed in four separate buildings. It’s probably going to take us all day just to walk around and see as much as possible. Especially considering the main building is part of what they call a “Museum Campus”. Who knows how quickly visitor fatigue is going to set in.

I’m not usually someone who goes out of their way to visit a war museum, but I’m making an exception for this one. We read so much about it during my master’s course and I am really interested to see firstly how war is portrayed and secondly the exhibition design elements.

They have a great section on their website regarding accessibility (click here to read more). Opening hours and tickets is too complex to simplify here so please follow the link to the main webpage which is here.

5. Bauhaus Museum Weimar

Last year I wrote three entries to celebrate 100 years of Bauhaus. In the post on Weimar, I mentioned visiting their old Bauhaus Museum and really hoping to visit their new museum some time soon. Well, that feeling hasn’t faded.

I am really hoping after my German course finishes this year to go to Germany next year and visit all the new Bauhaus museums and heritage places. It’ll be great to see more of Weimar’s collection on display!

The Bauhaus Museum in Weimar is open every day (except Tuesday) from 9am to 6pm. Entry is ticketed. For more information click here.

Final Thought

Another year, another list. I hope that you have found some inspiration reading this and create your own list of ‘must-see’ museums or heritage places around the world!