Every year, on 18 May, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) organises International Museum Day (IMD), a global event highlighting the transformative role of museums in society. In 2026, IMD will explore “Museums Uniting a Divided World”, focusing on how museums can act as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion, and peace within and between communities worldwide.
This year’s theme also guides the celebrations of ICOM’s 80th anniversary, marking a milestone in the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting museums and their role in society.
Museums as Catalysts for Connection
Museums are more than spaces of preservation—they are trusted public spaces where people encounter stories, objects, and one another. In times of social fragmentation, polarisation, and unequal access to knowledge and culture, museums help rebuild connections across generations, communities, and borders.
Rather than erasing differences, museums create the conditions in which they can be understood and respected. By safeguarding heritage and memory, offering opportunities for learning and reflection, and providing welcoming spaces for diverse voices, museums foster dialogue, inclusion, and peace.
This year’s theme aligns with three Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 10: Museums contribute to reducing inequalities by promoting inclusive access to culture and knowledge.
- SDG 16: Museums support peaceful and inclusive societies by encouraging dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect.
- SDG 17: Through partnerships and collaboration, museums strengthen global cooperation for sustainable development.
A Global Initiative with a Strong Visual Identity
Each year, International Museum Day mobilises thousands of museums across the globe. The continued growth of IMD reflects its importance as a platform for cultural exchange, community engagement, and international collaboration.
For IMD 2026, ICOM is developing a compelling visual identity that reflects the theme of connection and unity. The key visual will highlight the idea of bridges—symbolic and real—bringing together diverse cultures, perspectives, and communities. Through thoughtful design, it will express the role of museums in fostering dialogue and understanding in a divided world.
ICOM provides a range of communication materials, including an official poster, web banners, and adaptable graphics available in multiple languages. Museums can customise these materials by adding their logos, adjusting colours, and incorporating translations while maintaining the core design integrity. The visuals are designed to be accessible in both digital and print formats, ensuring worldwide usability.
The Poster
This year’s IMD poster reflects the theme Museums Uniting a Divided World, capturing the idea of connection, dialogue, and shared understanding across differences.
Before customising your IMD poster, please take a moment to read the graphic design manual. This will ensure your adaptations align with the creative vision and design principles of the original poster.
Download the official ready-to-use poster
Easily adaptable to meet your needs with the following tools:
- Customisable (Canva and Adobe Illustrator)
- IMD 2026 customisation material
Get Involved with the IMD 2026 Communication Kit
To support institutions in their participation, ICOM is launching the IMD 2026 Communications Kit, a comprehensive resource featuring guidelines, best practices, and creative ideas to help museums engage their communities effectively. The toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on using the official visuals, organising events, and promoting IMD activities on social media.
ICOM invites museums, cultural institutions, and communities to take part in IMD 2026. Host an event, develop participatory programming, create partnerships, or launch a local campaign to highlight the role of museums in fostering dialogue and connection in a divided world.
Stay connected and share your initiatives using #InternationalMuseumDay #IMD2026. Let’s celebrate museums as spaces of dialogue, inclusion, and peace.
IMD2026 Communications Kit — EN by ICOM Communications
Spanish – DIM2026 Kit de comunicación
French – JIM2026 Kit de communication
Add your event to the Interactive Map!
Submit your poster translation!
ICOM’s 80th Anniversary
For 2026, the theme will also shape the celebrations of ICOM’s 80th anniversary, marking eight decades of dedication to supporting museums and professionals worldwide. This milestone offers an opportunity to reflect on ICOM’s enduring commitment to fostering a strong, connected global museum community and to advancing the vital social role of museums in an constantly changing world.
We warmly invite our global audience to take part in International Museum Day while also joining us in celebrating this 80-year legacy by honouring past achievements, engaging with present challenges, and looking ahead to the future of museums. To mark the occasion, an anniversary campaign, including a digital exhibition exploring the history and impact of ICOM, along with additional exclusive content, will soon be made available across our channels.
