nonmuseum
Nonmuseum is a term used in museology to describe cultural spaces and programs that operate outside the traditional museum sector while performing similar roles of collection, interpretation, and public engagement. Unlike conventional museums, nonmuseums may lack formal accreditation, a permanent building, or a formalized collection policy. The category is fluid and overlaps with libraries, archives, cultural centers, galleries, and historic houses. The label emphasizes practice over institutional form, highlighting flexibility, community involvement, and alternative curatorial approaches.
Nonmuseums can be nonprofit organizations, government-supported institutions, or grassroots initiatives. Governance varies from volunteer boards to
Common activities include exhibitions, object preservation, and educational programs; interpretation may be collaborative or participatory, with
Because the term is not uniformly defined, what counts as a nonmuseum varies by region and discipline.