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The World's Most Admired Art Museums 

Although most cities have a gallery or museum that can be added to an itinerary and indulged for an hour on a general trip, some of the world’s top art museums are destinations in and of themselves.    Artists and art professionals such as Jeremy Casson are willing to travel the globe to visit these sites – but what truly makes an art museum special?  

An Iconic Collection 

The best art museums have unique artefacts. They protect, preserve and continue to collect the best art and make it available to the public and scholars. 

Staying Relevant 

An art museum must stay relevant to a contemporary audience whilst also preserving our cultural legacy. This means finding a balance between attracting new audiences and honouring its core mission, creating meaningful exhibitions that draw in visitors whilst not losing the museum’s identity and focus. 

Public Engagement 

Nowadays, public engagement is a core function of a top art museum. The most iconic museums enrich the lives of the public and draw people in whether they are locals or tourists. The most successful cultural sites offer educational opportunities through their programmes, classes and tours. 

Long and Short-Term Goals 

Many art museums have limited budgets, which can be a challenge. The best art museums have a team that wisely considers and manages their short-term and long-term obligations and goals. 

A Building to Remember 

The ‘Bilbao effect’ is a term many experts used to describe the effect that Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum Bilbao had when it opened in 1997, which catapulted the Spanish city onto the contemporary art map. One thing that the most successful art museums have in common is that they are iconic architectural marvels. 

Here are four of the most highly regarded and admired art museums from around the world, as well as being statistically some of the most visited in 2023 according to Statista: 

The Louvre, Paris 

The Louvre opened its doors in 1793 and is currently the largest museum in the world with over 38,000 artefacts. In 1983, IM Pei’s glass pyramids upgraded the Louvre to be a modern architectural marvel. 

Museum of Modern Art, New York 

The MoMA launched with a Picasso retrospective in 1939 and boasts a collection filled with masterpieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat and other renowned artists. 

Tate Modern, London, UK 

This former power station located on London’s Southbank houses a vast permanent collection and blockbuster exhibitions. 

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands 

This museum, established in the ’70s, has the largest collection of Van Gogh artwork worldwide, including iconic paintings such as Sunflowers and The Potato Eaters. 

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The Lasting Cultural Impacts of Artists Throughout History 

Art history encompasses centuries of imagination, skill and creative expression, all entirely unique to individual artists. There are six distinguishable artistic periods: Ancient, Classical, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and Modern. Paintings, sculptures and architectural wonders from these eras are then further organised depending on their styles, characteristics and associated movements.  

Works of art are physical reminders of epochs passed that have greatly contributed to our current creative and cultural landscape. However, these surviving pieces of history are fragile; even the smallest amount of damage can completely warp the creative intention of the artist. That’s why dedicated, passionate specialists, like art conservator Jeremy Casson, work tirelessly to preserve the original condition of the art.  

These conservation efforts have made it possible for works produced by some of the most famous artists throughout history to withstand the weathering effects of time. Though art is subjective, there are several artists who have left undeniable cultural impacts thanks to their artistic talents.  

Leonardo da Vinci, for example, is known for his masterpiece the Mona Lisa, which has tourists from around the world regularly flocking to the Louvre Museum in Paris. Another Italian Renaissance artist, Michelangelo, put society in touch with art through incredible works like the Sistine Chapel ceiling painting and the colossal David statue.  

These are just two examples of artists whose works transcend time. Historical artworks fascinate contemporary society because they offer clues into how people used to live, what was important to them and how they wanted to be remembered. Looking at these famous paintings and sculptures encourages introspection.  

Art evokes and appeals to many human emotions. Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring creates an intimacy between the subject and the viewer. Vincent Van Gogh’s The Starry Night is simultaneously frantic and calm. Caspar David Friedrich’s Wanderer above the Sea of Fog inspires awe. Piet Mondrian’s Composition with Red, Blue and Yellow invites the viewer to dissect the harmony between simple colours. 

When artists create in these different ways, they become historians. Their works speak to society, providing cultural, political and religious commentaries that connect generations. Modern artists continue to be inspired by the work of famous historical artists, utilising their own crafts to continue making sociocultural change. 

Art acts as an outlet for documenting, studying and appreciating important cultural shifts across centuries. Within art, we find community, self-expression, social awareness, joy and reflection. Without artists, these important human details would be forever lost to history. 

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What Is Art Therapy and What Are Its Benefits? 

Art therapy is where artistic methods are used to enhance mental health and treat psychological disorders. It is founded on the concept that creative expression can promote mental wellbeing and healing. 

The Benefits of Art Therapy 

Enjoying less than an hour of creative activity can positively impact mental health and alleviate stress, according to a 2016 study that appeared in the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. Those suffering from anxiety or depression, or those who have experienced physical violence, mental trauma, domestic abuse or other psychological issues, may feel the benefits of creative expression.  

Situations in which art therapy may be useful include where an adult is experiencing severe stress, where a person is experiencing a mental health problem, where a child is experiencing social or behavioural problems at home or school, and where a child or adult has experienced a traumatic event. Children with learning disabilities may also particularly derive benefit from art therapy. 

What Are the Different Types of Arts Therapies? 

The main types of arts therapies are art therapy, dance movement psychotherapy, drama therapy and music therapy.  

Art lovers and enthusiasts such as Jeremy Casson know that art therapy involves using materials such as paint, pencils, crayons, chalk, clay or digital materials like photos and videos to express feelings and experiences. Prompts may be provided by the therapist, and a particular theme or activity may be the focus of each session.  

Dance movement psychotherapy focuses on body movements and dance and may be useful to help participants feel more in touch with their physical surroundings and bodies, address difficult feelings about their bodies or physical appearance, and explore difficult experiences using movement instead of words.  

Drama therapy involves a variety of drama and performances activities, although no acting experience or skills are required. Participants may tell stories, perform mimes, make puppets or invent characters. Exploring music and sound is the province of music therapy. This might involve listening to music alongside a therapist or using different instruments to express or explore feelings. 

What Is Expressive Arts Therapy? 

Expressive arts therapy involves the integration of different elements of creative arts therapies into counselling and psychotherapy practices. As such, it incorporates art therapy, music therapy, drama therapy and writing therapy.