Inspiring the Public
Pinterest has graduated from an obscure social media platform to an essential cataloguing and organising tool for work and life.
People use it to gather visuals for upcoming weddings, or to gather inspiration for renovations. Artists collect textures, inspirations and art movements to better see them side by side while fashion designers can put together mood boards, concepts, textiles and historic references.
None of this would be possible without the great art institutes of the world granting free access to their curated collections on the platform.
Spotlighting 5 Museums
Here are the five best museums on Pinterest today.
Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum stands as a testament to the life and work of one of the most celebrated artists in history. Home to the largest collection of Vincent van Gogh's paintings, drawings and letters in the world, this museum offers visitors a deeply immersive journey into the mind of the Dutch post-impressionist master.
The Museum’s collection might be a snapshot of life in the late 1800s but the museum's approach to sharing that vision is rooted in the here and now. Committed to showcasing Van Gogh’s legacy they have embraced Pinterest to ensure he is still shaping the aesthetics of creatives and art lovers all around the globe.
Van Gogh’s drawings, paintings and quotes are collected into insightful boards perfect for anyone who loves visual learning.
Van Gogh Museum
Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid, Spain
Located in the heart of Madrid, the Museo Nacional del Prado is a beacon of Spanish art and culture. Boasting an impressive collection of European art from the 12th to the early 20th century, including works by renowned Spanish artists such as Diego Velázquez, Francisco Goya and El Greco.
Their excellent Pinterest boards are organised by themes, artists and history allowing for a tantalising glimpse into their collection or well organised resources for research. Well catalogued, each high resolution image comes complete with the artist and the date of original production.
With over 22,000 international followers, The Museo Nacional del Prado proves that Pinterest is a haven for art lovers.
J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, USA
Perched atop the hills of Los Angeles, the J. Paul Getty Museum is a cultural oasis that combines stunning architecture with a world-class art collection. Home to an array of European paintings, sculptures and decorative arts, as well as photography and antiquities, the Getty Museum invites visitors to explore the beauty and diversity of human creativity across time and cultures.
If you can’t reach Los Angeles and need an urgent art fix, Pinterest might be the best place to head. With over 90 boards covering everything from ‘sumptuous fabrics’ to the ‘Olympic games’ there’s delight to be found in the curation of the images. The museum has boards dedicated to lifting the lid on conservations and more playful collections dedicated to artworks featuring men with moustaches. If you like your art with a dose of clever curation, check out their Pinterest.
Musee de Louvre, Paris, France
As one of the most iconic landmarks in Paris, the Musée du Louvre is synonymous with art, history and grandeur. Housing a vast and diverse collection that spans millennia, from ancient Egyptian artefacts to masterpieces of European painting, the Louvre is one of the most followed Art institutes on Pinterest.
Must-see boards include collections of the best hair across art, sculpture and drawing - essential when looking for a total restyle. Others that will delight and amuse include, macabre skulls in the Halloween board and a close study of hands across hundreds of years of art.
With nearly 50,000 followers, 50 boards and thousands of pins the in-house social team takes their Pinterest posting seriously.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Located on Museum Square in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum is a national treasure that showcases the rich artistic heritage of the Netherlands. With a vast collection of Dutch Golden Age masterpieces, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals, as well as decorative arts, prints and Asian artefacts, the Rijksmuseum offers visitors an immersive journey through Dutch art and history.
Pinterest boards on the official account reveal the museum's renovations, illuminate its stunning collections and highlight its engagement programs. Individual exhibitions to artists such as Alexander Calder, Louise Bourgeois and Caravaggio each get a dedicated board alongside playful celebrations of the colour yellow, paintings of food and Dutch tulips.
This museum best encapsulates the spirit of digital innovation, social sharing and cataloguing their collections for the world to enjoy.
How to Integrate Pinterest Analytics Into Your Visitor Data Strategy
Integrating Pinterest analytics into your museum’s visitor data strategy can significantly enhance your ability to understand and engage with your audience, supporting your efforts to achieve or maintain AAM accreditation. Here’s how you can effectively use this information:
Strategic Planning
Pinterest analytics provide valuable insights into how the public interacts with your museum’s collections online. By tracking metrics such as pins, repins, comments, and likes, you can gauge which artworks or exhibitions resonate most with your audience. This data helps tailor future exhibitions to match public interest, thereby enhancing community engagement—a key aspect of AAM accreditation.
Understanding the demographic information of your Pinterest followers—such as age, gender, and location—allows you to compare this online audience with your in-person visitors. This comparison can inform your strategic planning, ensuring your exhibitions and programs are designed to appeal to your broader audience. The AAM emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in achieving accreditation, as outlined in their Core Standards for Museums (American Alliance of Museums).
Data to Provide Evidence of Impact
Pinterest data can serve as evidence of your museum’s impact on the public, demonstrating how your collections are appreciated and shared globally. This can be crucial during the AAM’s self-study and peer review processes, where demonstrating your museum’s influence and reach is vital. Detailed reports showing engagement levels can support your museum’s case during the accreditation review.
Additionally, data demonstrating high levels of engagement and a broad, diverse audience can strengthen your grant applications and funding requests. Funders are more likely to support museums that can show a significant and positive impact on their communities, as supported by comprehensive data. The AAM highlights the importance of sustainability and community engagement in their accreditation process, which you can learn more about in their Accreditation Overview (American Alliance of Museums).
Analyzing Visual Preferences
By analyzing visual preferences and popular themes from Pinterest, you can design exhibitions and educational programs that align with what visitors find most engaging. This approach ensures that your museum remains relevant and interesting to both current and potential visitors, aligning with AAM’s goals of visitor engagement and educational impact.
Pinterest’s visual nature allows you to understand aesthetic preferences better. Tracking which images are most frequently pinned and shared can help you identify the visual styles that resonate most with your audience. This data can inform the design and presentation of exhibits, from the color schemes used in marketing materials to the layout and lighting within the exhibition space itself.
Resources for Accreditation
To further understand how integrating Pinterest analytics can support your museum’s accreditation, explore the following resources:
By leveraging Pinterest analytics, your museum can not only enhance its visitor data strategy but also strengthen its case for achieving or maintaining AAM accreditation. This integration supports the museum’s mission to engage, educate, and inspire its community.
Museum Match
A new social media platform designed specifically for museums. While Pinterest can provide valuable data, Museum Match offers features tailored to make it easier to pull relevant data and support accreditation efforts.
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