Museum Selfie Day

Celebrated on 01/21/2026

Quick Fact

Museum Selfie Day, celebrated annually on the third Wednesday of January, was founded by museum selfie enthusiast Mar Dixon in 2014. The day encourages visitors to take and share selfies in museums, helping to demystify these institutions and make art more accessible to younger audiences.

Origins and Establishment of Museum Selfie Day

Museum Selfie Day was founded in 2014 by Mar Dixon, a social media strategist and museum enthusiast from the United Kingdom. The idea emerged as a response to the growing trend of taking selfies and the desire to engage younger audiences with museums. Dixon launched the event on Twitter with the hashtag #MuseumSelfie, encouraging people to visit museums and share selfies with exhibits. The first Museum Selfie Day took place on January 22, 2014, and quickly gained traction among museums and visitors worldwide.

Evolution and Modern Commemoration

Since its inception, Museum Selfie Day has grown into a global social media phenomenon. Initially focused on Twitter, it now spans multiple platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Museums have embraced the day by creating special exhibits, photo opportunities, and even selfie stations. Some institutions offer free admission or discounts on this day. The event has also sparked discussions about the role of photography in museums, with many now relaxing their no-photo policies to accommodate selfie-takers. Today, Museum Selfie Day is celebrated by hundreds of museums and thousands of participants annually.

Facts & General Observations

• In 2020, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York reported over 50,000 posts using #MuseumSelfie during the event.
• A 2018 survey found that 73% of millennials prefer to share their museum visits on social media, with selfies being the most common type of post.
• The hashtag #MuseumSelfie has been used over 1 million times on Instagram as of 2023.

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