Reasons to Visit & Purchase from Museum Gift Shops Online
Museum gift shops are a staple of the museum-going experience, offering visitors the opportunity to take a piece of the museum home with them. These shops offer a wide range of items, from books and posters, to jewelry and other art-inspired gifts.
The problem comes, though, when you’re unable to visit the museum in the near future. How can you still buy some of those items that previously caught your eye? Or maybe you recently came from a museum but were unable to purchase a gift or souvenir because you were short for time and there was too much of a crowd or long line at the checkout counter.
Thankfully, these days you can still visit and purchase from museum gift shops online.
Why Buy A Gift or Souvenir from a Museum Gift Shop?
1. For the Art
One of the main draws of a museum gift shop is the ability to purchase items that are directly related to the exhibits on display. Many gift shops carry reproductions of famous artwork, such as prints of famous paintings or sculptures. Additionally, many museums commission local artisans to create items inspired by the museum’s collection, offering visitors the chance to purchase truly unique gifts.
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, for example, has some amazing framed prints from some of the most well-renowned artists like Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Hokusai, Ross Sterling Turner, and more.
2. To Learn More About Artists & Their Art
Another advantage of museum gift shops is the range of educational items they offer. Many gift shops carry books and other resources related to the museum’s exhibits, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the art and history on display. Children’s books and activity sets are also a popular offering, encouraging families to make learning about art and history a fun and interactive experience.
This Frida Kahlo and Arte Popular, for example, is a bilingual book that shares a very in-depth look at Frida Kahlo’s response to arte popular.
If you’re looking for something for kids, on the other hand, this Fun With Hieroglyphs book is an amazing introduction into learning the sounds and letters of the hieroglyphic alphabet. If you or your kid is interested in decoding ancient languages, then this is definitely something to look at.
3. To Take Home Something to Help You Reminisce
Museum gift shops also often carry a range of more practical items, such as tote bags, umbrellas, and other souvenirs. These items allow visitors to remember their museum visit in a more tangible way, and can serve as a reminder of the art and history they experienced during their visit. Here are a couple of things to consider taking home from your museum gift shop:
Mugs & Drinking Bottles: There are a lot of interesting mugs, tea cups & tea sets, as well as drinking bottles that come in a wide variety of interesting and artistic designs, perfect for drawing inspiration from while you’re sipping your coffee or tea.
Fine Art Socks: They say that people who wear novelty socks are more confident and creative. And considering that it takes some courage to wear such flashy footwear outdoors and flaunt it, they might be right. But more than just novelty socks, fine art socks are a great way to express your inner artist and maybe even encourage others to strike up a conversation.
Visit Your Local Museum Gift Shop Online
While museum gift shops are often associated with high prices, many offer a range of items at different price points. This allows visitors to purchase a piece of the museum experience regardless of their budget.
Overall, visiting museum gift shops online gives visitors the opportunity to purchase a wide range of items that are directly related to the exhibits on display from the comfort of their own homes. The Museum of Fine Arts Boston offers reproductions of famous artwork, unique gifts, educational resources, and practical souvenirs. By providing visitors with a way to remember their museum visit in a tangible way, museum gift shops play an important role in the museum-going experience.