Can museums be sacred spaces?

Yes, museums can be considered sacred spaces. This notion aligns with how some people deeply connect with museums on a spiritual level, akin to entering a church or temple. For example, Dr. Michele Harper describes museums as her "temple," experiencing profound spirituality when alone with art 1 2. Similarly, Ann Hamilton highlights that many museum artifacts originate from sacred contexts, and while they can't fully recreate that original sacredness, they still evoke a sense of awe and contemplation similar to sacred places 3 4.

Krista Tippett and Sherry Turkle discuss the importance of sacred spaces in providing a place for mindfulness and reflection, free from the distractions of daily life and technology. Museums, as a "third place," allow individuals to step outside their routine and connect more deeply with themselves and art 5 6. Thus, museums can be seen as modern sacred spaces where people can find solace, reflection, and a sense of communal yet individualistic experience.