ADVERTISEMENT

As the pandemic took over the world, museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions closed their doors to adhere to new social distancing regulations. But don't worry. Bored Panda is here to help. We put together a list of cool museum exhibits so you could get your fix of culture even before these places open up again. And we included something for every taste as well. We're talking a WWII mannequin that looks like Bruce Willis. A miniature Volkswagen Beetle that found its way into a beetle collection. You name it. So continue scrolling and check out the entries. They should please your inner snob in no time.

#1

This Powerful Quote At The End Of The Holocaust Museum In Washington

This Powerful Quote At The End Of The Holocaust Museum In Washington

notrub95 Report

Add photo comments
POST
ner_diz avatar
Serial pacifist
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How often do we fail to speak and act? Jews, Uyghurs, Rwandan Tutsi genocide, genocide over Bosnian Muslims, Kongoan genocide, ISIS genocide of Yazidis, Myanmar genocide of Rohingya...the list goes on, and this is ONLY in the last 100 years or so. I wonder what did the animals do to be punished to live in a world with humans.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

2020 was a time of crisis, innovation, anxiety, and introspection for all businesses, and museums were no different. Large galleries in cities which rely on international tourism found travel bans nearly ruinous to their business models. Some smaller regional museums, however, discovered a surprising upside as their institutions emerged as symbols of good, collaborative creativity in their communities.

Nearly every museum in the US has upped its digital offerings with online exhibits, curator video chats, and virtual kids’ activities. Many are also re-thinking their reach and collections in a time of accelerated technological change and turmoil in the U.S., debating how racial and social injustice are reflected in their art.

#2

Art Museum That Was Closed Due To Virus Outbreak Rearranged Exhibition So It Can Be Seen From Outside - Day Or Night. Salo, Finland

Art Museum That Was Closed Due To Virus Outbreak Rearranged Exhibition So It Can Be Seen From Outside - Day Or Night. Salo, Finland

EffortlessEasy Report

From a practical, COVID-fighting standpoint, directors and staffers have learned everything they could about the mechanics of their workplaces, including ventilation and airborne virus transmission. Such knowledge tipped many institutions to open back up in the summer with safety precautions (masks, social distancing) and to close down again when coronavirus infections surged in November.

#3

The Two-Sided Statue Of Mephistopheles And Margaretta (19th Century) At The Salar Jung Museum In India. The Sculpture Is Carved Out Of A Single Log Of Sycamore Wood. Artist Unknown

The Two-Sided Statue Of Mephistopheles And Margaretta (19th Century) At The Salar Jung Museum In India. The Sculpture Is Carved Out Of A Single Log Of Sycamore Wood. Artist Unknown

Rambo_Brit3 Report

#4

Someone In This Museum Has A Sense Of Humor

Someone In This Museum Has A Sense Of Humor

Muppaphone Report

“With decision-making, we are trying to be as clear, fair, and transparent as we can. Everyone was looking at the infection rate and knew it was a matter of when, not if we closed again,” Hayley Haldeman, the Mattress Factory’s interim executive director, told National Geographic. “It’s a double-edged sword, both sides blunt and painful. There’s not much more we [could have done] in 2020.”

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

There Is A Tiny Museum In Kyoto, Japan With Some Very Unusual Opening Hours

There Is A Tiny Museum In Kyoto, Japan With Some Very Unusual Opening Hours

Sharktopus_ Report

#6

This Tiny UFO That Crash Landed On The Wall Of A Technology Museum

This Tiny UFO That Crash Landed On The Wall Of A Technology Museum

1redditname Report

Dips and spikes in virus cases meant galleries in London, Paris, and Rome reopened at the start of summer and closed again in the fall during new coronavirus waves and lockdowns. In the U.S., the American Alliance of Museums found that a third of the 850 museums surveyed were still shuttered in October and more than 10 percent were worried about never reopening. In some smaller U.S. cities, the crisis has spurred museum directors to spearhead bold and creative efforts to survive.

#7

Took A Trip Out To Peabody Essex Museum Last Weekend. This Exhibit Didn’t Disappoint

Took A Trip Out To Peabody Essex Museum Last Weekend. This Exhibit Didn’t Disappoint

SnapneckLife Report

#8

This Museum Taking A Shot At FedEx In One Of Their Displays

This Museum Taking A Shot At FedEx In One Of Their Displays

PM_YOUR_CENSORD Report

ADVERTISEMENT

Pittsburgh, a city of 300,000 people, which has 50 museums and cultural centers, has a legacy of its industrial wealth in the early 20th century. Steven Knapp, the new executive of the four Carnegie Museums, started February 1, 2020, just weeks before a government-mandated shutdown hit Pennsylvania.

During the early days of the pandemic, Knapp and leaders from other local institutions jumped on twice-a-month Zoom calls to discuss safety standards and reopening protocols.

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

“Exploded” Ford Model T At The Henry Ford Museum Of Innovation

“Exploded” Ford Model T At The Henry Ford Museum Of Innovation

TreKs Report

#10

This Museum In Berlin Has ‘Touchable’ Versions Of Their Paintings For Blind People

This Museum In Berlin Has ‘Touchable’ Versions Of Their Paintings For Blind People

ppmtn Report

“For a city of its size, Pittsburgh is one of the richest cultural cities in the nation. We wanted people to come back and to feel they had a good experience,” Knapp explained.

This meant that, when museums began letting tourists back in during the summer, with social-distancing stickers on the floors, guards enforcing mask-wearing, and, at most venues, timed-entry tickets.

#11

This Sign At An Outdoor Exhibit For A Museum

This Sign At An Outdoor Exhibit For A Museum

Thoughtpot Report

#12

The Henry Ford Museum In Detroit Is Home To The Actual Bus That Rosa Parks Protested On

The Henry Ford Museum In Detroit Is Home To The Actual Bus That Rosa Parks Protested On

NukeyHov Report

"In July we were seeing a quarter of the normal flow. [At the end of December, we were] seeing 40 to 50 percent and are up to 80 percent of the participation of 2019,” said Knapp. “It’s just been a question of managing the flow and keeping those one-way traffic patterns.”

#13

Autism Sign At The History Of Miami Museum

Autism Sign At The History Of Miami Museum

bus214 Report

Add photo comments
POST
stacysultana avatar
Stacy S.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Many people on the Autism Spectrum find many of these tools very helpful for self - regulation, calming, soothing. They should have these at all schools.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#15

Our Local Museum Decided To Add A Floppy Disc To The Fossils Section

Our Local Museum Decided To Add A Floppy Disc To The Fossils Section

_Milkyyyy Report

Museums have a wide range of business models. Some rely heavily on endowments, others on admission fees or special event rentals. And while many museums don’t expect their revenues to rebound to 2019 levels for at least another year, some supported by local taxes or large endowments have less dire financial futures.

#16

This Musical Instrument Museum Has An Air Guitar On Display

This Musical Instrument Museum Has An Air Guitar On Display

geniegnee Report

#17

There’s A Replica Of The Moon In The Natural History Museum

There’s A Replica Of The Moon In The Natural History Museum

thedudeabides80 Report

#18

Museums Are Different In Denmark

Museums Are Different In Denmark

jackdearlove Report

Add photo comments
POST
chi-weishen avatar
chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's ironic that this is shown to the public in Denmark but has to be censored for BoredPanda.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

According to a recent survey conducted by the International Council of Museums, about 95% of all museums around the world were closed due to the pandemic, and art institutions reacted differently to having their doors shut. Some had to put staff on leave and others laid off up to half of their employees. Many museums successfully focused on expanding their digital archives and social media activity, and continue their efforts to survive.

#19

A Mummified Dinosaur In A Museum In Canada

A Mummified Dinosaur In A Museum In Canada

gDisasters Report

#20

This Museum In Japan That Showcases Various Uniquely Shaped Naturally Formed Rocks With Faces On Them

This Museum In Japan That Showcases Various Uniquely Shaped Naturally Formed Rocks With Faces On Them

TheBatarang Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#21

A Museum In Kenya Has Little Funding, So They Improvised And Created Their Dinosaurs With Clay

A Museum In Kenya Has Little Funding, So They Improvised And Created Their Dinosaurs With Clay

Annoyingpapertrash Report

Add photo comments
POST
kaylaj avatar
Kayla J
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sad the lack of funding when I'm betting some museums with more wealth have artifacts from Kenya. Also the attention to detail is quite marvelous

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Caravan Of Camels In The Eye Of A Needle, Museum Of Miniatures, Prague

Caravan Of Camels In The Eye Of A Needle, Museum Of Miniatures, Prague

fancygoldfishfrog Report

#24

I Was At The National Gallery In Slovakia And Noticed They Use Star Wars Wallpaper On One Of The Walls In A 19th Century Art Exhibit

I Was At The National Gallery In Slovakia And Noticed They Use Star Wars Wallpaper On One Of The Walls In A 19th Century Art Exhibit

Ascarea Report

#25

This Display In Ashmolean Museum Shows How Touching Artwork Affects Material

This Display In Ashmolean Museum Shows How Touching Artwork Affects Material

Newbee_3000 Report

#26

Sand Museum In Tottori Japan. How Does Someone Create This Out Of Sand?

Sand Museum In Tottori Japan. How Does Someone Create This Out Of Sand?

sakee31 Report

#27

The Holocaust Memorial Museum In Detroit Has A Tree Made From The Sapling Of Anne Frank’s Tree

The Holocaust Memorial Museum In Detroit Has A Tree Made From The Sapling Of Anne Frank’s Tree

benizok Report

Add photo comments
POST
marysefaucher avatar
Maryse Faucher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saplings is usually a tiny part of the original tree that is either attached to a other tree or got re rooted

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

At The Uffizi Gallery In Florence, They Have Versions Of Paintings So That Blind Visitors Can Still Enjoy The Art

At The Uffizi Gallery In Florence, They Have Versions Of Paintings So That Blind Visitors Can Still Enjoy The Art

Peanut_Legend Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#31

Passing Through Columbus, Had To Stop By The Cartoon Museum To See The C&H Section

Passing Through Columbus, Had To Stop By The Cartoon Museum To See The C&H Section

flt1 Report

#32

Athens Airport Has An In-House Museum Where Ancient Artifacts, Uncovered During Its Construction, Are Exhibited

Athens Airport Has An In-House Museum Where Ancient Artifacts, Uncovered During Its Construction, Are Exhibited

alasporci Report

#33

The Tardis On This Dinosaur Museum’s Wall Mural

The Tardis On This Dinosaur Museum’s Wall Mural

EarInMyBeard Report

#34

The National Holocaust Museum In DC Puts Screens With Graphic Images Behind Cement Barriers So Children Can't See Them

The National Holocaust Museum In DC Puts Screens With Graphic Images Behind Cement Barriers So Children Can't See Them

party-bot Report

Add photo comments
POST
spazmops19 avatar
Logic and Reason
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My great grandmother escaped a work camp, lived off of grass, and helped others escape from the outside. She was an amazing woman.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#35

A Firetruck Crushed By The Collapsing Of The Twin Towers At The 9/11 Museum

A Firetruck Crushed By The Collapsing Of The Twin Towers At The 9/11 Museum

Cogsmith13 Report

Add photo comments
POST
glubkace avatar
kay s.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

visited in 2019 and it was one probably the most heart-wrenching things i've experienced. you can literally feel the weight of everything that happened that day on your shoulders. it feels like you can't stand straight or take a full breath the entire time. exiting into the sunshine and finally taking a full breath almost feels wrong. it was really a heavy experience and so humbling.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

At A Da Vinci Exhibition In Italy. Non-Art Pieces Had To Be Labeled

At A Da Vinci Exhibition In Italy. Non-Art Pieces Had To Be Labeled

Captain_Bamb00 Report

Add photo comments
POST
grantmffy avatar
rolt1059green avatar
Caffeinated Hedgehog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... and then one day a gust of wind blows the paper on top of an old painting.

miss-hoodoo avatar
Petra Schaap
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My boyfriend and my brother in law once started discussing a firehose in a museum in Paris. People were confused 😂

rweaver-boredpanda avatar
Johnny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are they sure a vandal didn't post that sign over a priceless artwork chair?

registra avatar
regi stra
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it reminds me a very famous movie of Alberto Sordi "Le vacanze intelligenti" (look at it if you can find in your language) where his wife after seated in a chair like this in a museum it was mistaken for a work of art :)

backatya7 avatar
backatya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol they can actually put a sign and say this chair was in the house of Moses and people probably will believe it if they thought this was a piece of art

vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder how many people were "admiring" the chair before they put the sign!

allanjohnbreum avatar
Allan Breum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd think twice about sitting on anything at a Da Vinci exhibit. I mean, if he built it, it'd probably do something weird/lethal. The dude had some pretty hardcore Mad Scientist vibes.

itzel-ocampo avatar
Izzy_
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can understand the confusion for a tourist not use to having this style of furniture in their home xD

sarahrose888 avatar
Sarah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a person with disabilities I'd be very grateful for that sign.

msmith_3 avatar
PjandBolt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine if someone moved the sign to an actual art piece as a prank

craigthrice avatar
Gyro Pilot
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Sign is cheeky, not at all meant to correct misperceptions about the chair's role.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Museum In Vienna Has A Sense Of Humor

Museum In Vienna Has A Sense Of Humor

Taradacty1 Report

#38

This Balloon Dog Sculpture With Organs And Bones, Found In A Museum

This Balloon Dog Sculpture With Organs And Bones, Found In A Museum

neverskipeggday Report

#39

The Floor At The London Science Museum Is Made Of Mini-Chromosomes

The Floor At The London Science Museum Is Made Of Mini-Chromosomes

English_Joe Report

#40

Tom And Jerry Museum, Japan

Tom And Jerry Museum, Japan

FredrickTHB Report

Add photo comments
POST
peridottsara avatar
bookshellf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow theres a whole museum dedicated to Tom and Jerry?? Thats so cool T^T

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
See Also on Bored Panda
#41

This "Where Are You From" Map At The Aurora Museum In Reykjavík, Iceland

This "Where Are You From" Map At The Aurora Museum In Reykjavík, Iceland

ECEguy105 Report

#42

These Movie Tickets From The Ghibli Museum Are Made From Frames From Different Ghibli Movies

These Movie Tickets From The Ghibli Museum Are Made From Frames From Different Ghibli Movies

Outpsyched Report

#43

This Delorean On This Dinosaur Museum’s Wall Mural

This Delorean On This Dinosaur Museum’s Wall Mural

EarInMyBeard Report

#44

Oh No - Titanic Artifacts Damaged By Water

Oh No - Titanic Artifacts Damaged By Water

Report

#45

This Mannequin From A WW2 Themed Museum In Normandy Looks Like Bruce Willis

This Mannequin From A WW2 Themed Museum In Normandy Looks Like Bruce Willis

General_Ignoranse Report

#46

The Chair Abraham Lincoln Was Assassinated In The Henry Ford Museum

The Chair Abraham Lincoln Was Assassinated In The Henry Ford Museum

SuriouslyFoReal Report

Add photo comments
POST
bagladyele avatar
EA
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my. There’s his dried blood on it still. This is so morbid :(

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

Museum Reconstruction Of Roman Armor

Museum Reconstruction Of Roman Armor

bigmeat Report

#48

Japanese Children Wearing Feces-Shaped Hats Slide Into A Giant Toilet

Japanese Children Wearing Feces-Shaped Hats Slide Into A Giant Toilet

Simulating the magical journey of human waste matter through a virtual sewer world, at a toilet exhibition in Tokyo.

rasterbee Report

#49

My Hometown Museum Has A Section On Millennial Toys

My Hometown Museum Has A Section On Millennial Toys

mfcrunchy Report

Note: this post originally had 122 images. It’s been shortened to the top 49 images based on user votes.