As museums around the world mark International Museum Day 2026 under the theme "Museums Uniting a Divided World," Guangdong Museum is hosting a three-day program of exhibitions, workshops, city walks, bilingual tours and accessibility-focused events in Guangzhou.
Running from May 16 to 18, the program brings together local residents, international students, volunteers and visitors with disabilities, reflecting this year's theme set by the International Council of Museums, which highlights museums as spaces for dialogue and cultural understanding.
Hands-on activities inspired by current exhibitions
Many of the activities are linked to the museum's ongoing special exhibitions, allowing visitors to engage more directly with the ideas behind the displays.
In workshops connected to an exhibition on Qing Dynasty export lacquerware, participants can try traditional decorative crafts once used on goods traded overseas from southern China. Other sessions tied to an exhibition on Guangdong's thousand-year history of foreign trade invite visitors to create collage artworks inspired by blue-and-white porcelain.
An exhibition centered on Chinese flower culture has also sparked flower arrangement activities, exploring how flowers have been used across different cultures and traditions. The workshops are designed to offer visitors a more interactive experience beyond simply viewing artifacts in display cases.
Exploring Guangzhou beyond the museum
Some activities also extend beyond the museum building. As part of the "Walking Guangzhou" program, participants joined guided walks through Guangzhou's Yuexiu District, visiting historical sites connected to the city's cultural and revolutionary history.
Meanwhile, nearly 40 international students from South China University of Technology took part in bilingual tours and volunteer exchange activities at the museum. Through English-language introductions and conversations, they explored Guangdong's history as a major center of trade and international exchange.
Accessibility and community participation
Accessibility is another major focus of this year's International Museum Day activities. Ahead of China's National Day for Helping the Disabled on May 17, the museum introduced programs designed for visually impaired and hearing-impaired visitors, including sign language tours and audio description programs.
Charity sales featuring artworks and creative products made by autistic young adults are also being held, bringing wider community participation into the museum space during the three-day program.
Museums as public spaces
Over the three days, visitors can take part in craft workshops, bilingual conversations, guided city walks and accessibility programs, offering a snapshot of how museums are engaging broader and more diverse audiences during International Museum Day. The program also reflects how museums in China are increasingly positioning themselves as public spaces for participation and exchange, rather than venues focused only on exhibitions.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Poster: Guangdong Museum
Photo: Li Fangwang
