Tour Museums Around the World from the Comfort of Your Sofa

The Google Cultural Institute may not be on your radar like some of the other famous Google properties, like Search and Gmail; but it’s no less a valuable resource. Over 2,400 museums and cultural institutes have collections — and sometimes whole virtual tours of their facilities — to peruse online. Curated stories featuring vivid and immersive visuals take you in-depth on a wide variety of subjects. You can travel around the world absorbing as much art, science, and culture as you can stand from the comfort of your sofa; and the only cost is an internet connection. Below are some of our favorite exhibits and tours from the many available. Get your tour on and tell us about your favorite museums in the comments! 

Science Museum, London, England

From the Museum: “Striving to be the best place in the world for people to enjoy science; the Science Museum’s world-class collection forms an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical achievements from across the globe. We aim to inspire visitors with award-winning exhibitions, iconic objects and stories of incredible scientific achievement.”
Our Tour Pick: The man-machine: Making Robots In Our Image

National Museums of Kenya, Kenya

From the Museum: “National Museums of Kenya (NMK) is a state corporation established by an Act of Parliament, the Museums and Heritage Act 2006. NMK is a multi-disciplinary institution whose role is to collect, preserve, study, document and present Kenya’s past and present cultural and natural heritage. This is for the purposes of enhancing knowledge; appreciation; respect and sustainable utilization of these resources for the benefit of Kenya and the world, for now and posterity. NMK’s mutual concern for the welfare of mankind and the conservation of the biological diversity of the East African region and that of the entire planet demands success in such efforts.”
Our Tour Pick: Shujaa Stories: 21 Superheroes of Kenya

National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C, United States of America

From the Museum: “Founded in 1981 and opened in 1987, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the only museum solely dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in the visual, performing and literary arts. The museum’s collection features 5,000 works from the 16th century to the present created by more than 1,000 artists, including Mary Cassatt, Frida Kahlo, Alma Thomas, Lee Krasner, Louise Bourgeois, Chakaia Booker, and Nan Goldin, along with special collections of 18th-century silver tableware, botanical prints, and artists’ books.”
Our Tour Pick: Mamacita Linda: Letters between Frida Kahlo and her Mother

MOCA, Bangkok, Thailand

From the Museum: “The Museum’s key concept was to communicate, promote and transfer the authentic Thai art and culture to the Thai people and people from all over the world, particularly the future generations…endlessly…The collections are unique and rare pieces. These have been created during the past 6-8 decades (post-WW era, post-democracy era, baby boomers era); with emerging new competent Thai artists such as Professor Emeritus Chalood Nimsamer, Professor Paitun Muangsomboon and many others National and Great Artists admired and respected by Thai, Asian and international art-lovers.”
Our Tour Pick: Transcending

Barjeel Art Foundation, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

From the Museum: “Barjeel Art Foundation is an independent United Arab Emirates-based initiative established to manage, preserve and exhibit the personal art collection of Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi. The foundation’s guiding principle is to contribute to the intellectual development of the art scene in the Arab region by building a prominent, publicly accessible art collection in the UAE. Part of this objective involves developing a public platform to foster critical dialogue around contemporary art practices with a focus on artists with Arab heritage internationally. The foundation strives to create an open-ended enquiry that responds to and conveys the nuances inherent to Arab histories beyond borders of culture and geography.”
Our Tour Pick: Tarīqah

Hong Kong Heritage Museum

From the Museum: “It is a multi-disciplined museum which explores the unique cultures of Hong Kong, with special focuses on local living and creative culture such as design, photography, popular culture, Cantonese opera and intangible cultural heritage. It also showcases and connects the cultures of the world with the peoples of Hong Kong. A lively and diverse range of exhibitions and programs are organized to engage the visitors in a highly enjoyable and educational experience. The collection of the museum is wide-ranging but can be broadly classified as art, historical and cultural materials by nature.”
Our Tour Pick: Chao Shao-an

graffitimudo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

From the Museum: “graffitimundo is a non-profit arts organization based in Buenos Aires, which supports local artists and promotes the city’s urban art culture. Our project launched in 2009. Working in collaboration with a network of artists, we developed an information resource; and offered visitors the opportunity to experience the art in context and meet with the artists themselves. As our project developed, we were invited to curate exhibitions of art locally and internationally. We later developed an online art gallery; and in 2014, we opened a physical gallery space in San Telmo, Buenos Aires.”
Our Tour Pick: The Talking Walls of Buenos Aires – Villa Crespo

Dastkari Haat Samiti, New Delhi, India

From the Museum: “Dastkari Haat Samiti is a not-for-profit organization functioning according to democratic procedures and self-help. Through its twenty-six years of work, artisans have achieved self-confidence and have gained dignity and recognition in society through many of the programs organized by the Samiti. It is truly an artisan’s organization with work contributions by its President and Executive Committee members for no remuneration. It employs only five administrative staff persons, a full-time accountant and a full-time designer. All the organizational work done at its exhibitions and craft bazaars is with voluntary help of its artisan members and supporters.”
Our Tour Pick: Banarasi Sarees and Textiles

Cover Image: Land Divided, Somphong Adulyasarapan1981

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