2026 Macao International Museum Day Joint Museums Postcard Design Contest
Organizers: Communications Museum, Macao Science Center & Maritime Museum
The theme of International Museum Day 2026 is Museums uniting a divided world, emphasizing museums as bridges connecting different cultures, diluting divisions, bridging cultural, political, and social gaps, and rebuilding social cohesion. Inspired by this theme, this postcard design contest invites children, students, and residents to use the unique medium of postcards to express how museums unite the world and overcome differences. Through creation, participants are encouraged to reflect on the functions and role of museums in contemporary society, convey universal values, and draw on the beautiful image that ¯museums bring the world closer¯!
Deadline for Application::From now until 22:00:00 on April 23rd, 2026 (Thursday)
Deadline for Submission:From now until 22:00:00 on April 23rd, 2026 (Thursday)
Regulations ResultsInternational Museum Day 2026: Museums Uniting a Divided World
On 18 May 2026, museums worldwide will mark International Museum Day under the theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World”. The theme highlights the potential of museums to act as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion and peace within and between communities worldwide.
INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY 2026 THEME
As places of learning, museums contribute to peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. For International Museum Day 2026 this May, we invite you to join us in highlighting the theme Museums uniting a divided world. This theme will also guide the celebrations of ICOM’s 80th anniversary throughout the year.
Museums 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 connection across generations, across communities, and across borders, fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion, and peace within and between communities worldwide.
The theme “Museums Uniting a Divided World” highlights the potential of museums to act as bridges across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides, fostering dialogue, understanding, and peace within and between communities worldwide. Museums do not erase differences but create conditions in which differences can be understood and handled with respect: by safeguarding heritage and memory, offering learning and reflection, and providing welcoming spaces where diverse voices can be heard. Open and accessible, museums foster diversity and sustainability.
Through International Museum Day, ICOM has been supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2020 and promotes a set of goals annually. This year’s theme aligns with the following three goals:
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries
- SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals: Revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
ICOM invites all members of the international museum community to participate in International Museum Day 2026 and translate the theme into locally meaningful action, including participatory programming, partnerships, and accessible experiences that strengthen belonging and trust. ICOM looks forward to highlighting International Museum Day with you and your connected museum.
(Source: ICOM - China)
What is IMD
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to encourage public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society.
From America to Oceania, through Europe, Asia and Africa, International Museum Day (IMD) is a special moment for the global museum community. On this day, participating museums interpret an issue affecting cultural organisations. International Museum Day is also a fantastic opportunity for museum professionals to meet their public. Museums are at the heart of the system, institutions that serve and develop society.
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What is ICOM
Created in 1946, ICOM (International Council of Museums) is the only international organisation representing museums and museum professionals on a global level.
ICOM is an international non-governmental organisation maintaining formal relations with UNESCO. Within the United Nations, ICOM has a consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.
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