The most intriguing thing about superheroes isn\u2019t that they leap tall buildings in a single bound or change into capes and spandex tights inside phone boxes. It\u2019s the fact that they help save the world every day – without most people ever realizing it.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why we think small museums are real-life superheroes.<\/p>\n
As much as we love the Louvre and go gaga for the Getty, smaller, lesser-known museums provide unforgettable experiences and unique stories for visitors of all kinds – and they\u2019re actually in the majority. More than half of all museums in the United States have three staff members or less<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n So what exactly is a small museum? It\u2019s all relative, but small museums can come in many shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n Small can mean the size of the building and workforce. There is surely no better example of this than The M\u00b5seum<\/a>, which showcases local art in an 8 x 16 inch case next to a Massachusetts bakery.<\/p>\n Small can also mean the size or scope of a museum\u2019s collection, like the quirky Bata Shoe Museum<\/a> in Toronto, Canada, or the Pen Museum<\/a> in Birmingham, UK (and yes it\u2019s exactly<\/b> what it sounds like). Ink-redible! Write on! The pun possibilities alone make the Pen Museum worth a visit.<\/p>\n Finally, small can refer to the target audience of a museum\u2019s subject matter. For example, I would personally love to visit the Meguro Parasitological Museum<\/a> in Tokyo, but it\u2019s unlikely that the Human Body Parasites gallery has mass market appeal.<\/p>\n Small museums have the ability to take visitors on unique or downright quirky journeys, like the Avanos Hair Museum<\/a> in Turkey, where female visitors can add a lock of their own hair to the collection. If tresses don\u2019t tickle your fancy, the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets<\/a> in Delhi not only features \u201cthrones\u201d from medieval times to present day, but also promotes the benefits of public sanitation. There\u2019s a small museum for every interest, no matter how unusual.<\/p>\n Small museums can connect visitors with their communities by engaging with local stories, artefacts, and issues on a deeper level. For example, the Tenement Museum<\/a> in New York tells the story of the Lower East Side apartment building in which it is located, connecting locals and tourists with the working-class immigrant stories of the community\u2019s past and present.<\/p>\n Small museums can have the freedom to take more risks than larger institutions. With smaller workforces and visitor numbers, they are nimble enough to experiment with new or challenging ideas. Small museums can be real game changers for what\u2019s possible at a museum.<\/p>\n Very large museums can often seem overwhelming or even intimidating, especially for those who don\u2019t often visit museums. Smaller sites can be less stressful, and are often less expensive too.<\/p>\n Small museums offer a more personal touch, and unique insights into a local culture. At Hulihe\u2019e Palace<\/a> in Hawaii, visitors remove their shoes before entering (a common practice in Hawaiian homes), and passionate guides give tours of the house spiced with personal anecdotes and local knowledge. There\u2019s nothing quite like walking barefoot around a historic home to make you feel connected with the past. Such unique experiences are just as unforgettable as a blockbuster exhibition or state-of-the-art display.<\/p>\n Life is by no means easy for small museums. Niche subject matter and a smaller brand profile can make attracting enough visitors and funding difficult. The Museum of Inuit Art<\/a> in Canada was one of many museums to close last year due to financial issues, despite a loyal following and notable exhibitions. In 2015, one in five regional museums in the UK were forced into partial or full closure<\/a>. But despite these challenges, small museums continue to punch above their weight when it comes to offering amazing stories and visitor experiences.<\/p>\n A former museum colleague once gave me this advice: the best thing you can do is stay small. And with all the great small museums these days, it\u2019s hard to disagree.<\/p>\n Bigger isn\u2019t always better, and mini can be mighty. Large museums are awesome and awe-inspiring, but let\u2019s remember to give props to all the small museum superheroes around the globe.<\/p>\n Do you have a favorite small museum? Share its story in the comments below!<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":19801,"template":"","acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSmall Museums Definition: It\u2019s Not Just About Gallery Size<\/h3>\n
Why Small is a Superpower<\/h3>\n
The Big Challenges Facing Small Museums<\/h3>\n