May 06th 2021

Call to improve the presence of Museums on Wikipedia and Wikidata contest: 3 to 18 May

Wikipedia joins ICOM on the celebration of the International Museum Day 

From 3 to 18 May, Wikipedia has a call and a contest to improve the presence of museums on Wikipedia and Wikidata. This is an initiative by Wikimedia Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France and Italy.

Next 18 May is the International Museum Day (IMD) and the aim is to raise awareness of the fact that, “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.”

In keeping with the Museums Day and this year's focus, #WIKIPEDIA and #WIKIDATA join ICOM inviting people to help them to complete and improve the presence of museums on Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons and Wikidata.

With this call, Wikimedia Switzerland, Austria, Germany, France and Italy, want to give an impulse to support this initiative, despite the actual circumstances, where culture knows no borders and lives on virtually. Many museums have adapted their operations to support virtual formats, released high resolution images and information under a free licence and organize virtual collection tours.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, museums and the cultural sector is among the most affected. Nevertheless, this crisis serves as a catalyst for crucial innovations, notably an increased focus on the creation of new forms of cultural experience and dissemination.

See all the information about:

Wikidata Competition: This contest take place from May 3 till May 18. There are 3 categories: Museums, People and Objects and events, and 5 prizes for the top 5 contributors to each of the 3 categories. All the information and rules here: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/International_Museum_Day_2021/Wikidata_Competition 

Other ways to join: 

  • Wikipedia Articles
  • Wikimedia Commons
  • GLAM Projects

More information: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/International_Museum_Day_2021