Travel to see Pop-Up Museums

Museums are a mainstay in the avid traveler’s itinerary. They are a rare opportunity to see timeless pieces of art, ancient artifacts and to experience hands-on history. While the Louvre and the Met are an essential stop for visitors, a new type of museum experience is rethinking the traditional approach.

Pop-up museums are temporary exhibits that offer a more casual, some may say “authentic,” artistic experience. The museums display everything from local art to traveling installations and even experiences world-famous artists such as Banksy. His 2015 pop-up occupied the abandoned Tropicana pool, which was transformed into “Dismaland – a family theme park, not suitable for children.” The experience featured more than 50 artists, including 10 new works by Banksy himself. It ran for a little more than a month and drew immense international attention. Here are seven reasons why you should travel to see one for yourself.

1. Incredible artistic diversity

Permanent museums tend to attract “proven” artists for their exhibits. While this results in outstanding content, the experience can feel very controlled. Pop-up museums tend to partner with newer artists, which delivers a wider range of talent and style. For many art aficionados, this is a welcome break from the standard experiences.

2. A more personal vibe

Because artists are involved from early on, they can sometimes participate in the construction of the venue. When this happens, exhibits aren’t just homes for art, they become an integrated piece in the entire experience and an expression of the artists themselves.

3. It’s now or never

There are plenty of reasons to visit a pop-up museum on your next trip. Perhaps the best reason is that you may never have a chance to see that art again! While some of these locations stick around for a year or more, many are just around for a few weeks.

4. Lower stakes mean greater risks

Pop-ups are a much lower investment for procurers and this means that they can work with artists that target a much more niche market. You will find artists showing very expressive pieces and taking risks that traditional museums may not allow them to take. The flexibility of the locale also allows for more expression in the scale of the installations.

5. Affordability

In general, museum admission isn’t exorbitantly priced. But pop-up museums are even more affordable. For example, the Dismaland museum by Banksy only charged £3 (less than $5) for entry. In many cases, the crowds at pop-ups are less intense than they are in major museums.

6. Embrace the locality

Even in the case of traveling shows, many pop-up concepts invite local talent to create exhibits. This means that when you step into the exhibit, you are taking a look into the heart of the artist and also the city.

7. Get a high-end experience

Contrary to popular belief, pop-up museums are typically very well constructed. Most take place in an existing studio space or venue that allows for the art to fill the space. For traditional art-goers, it can be a very easy transition – providing an intimate experience in a high-end aesthetic.

Have you ever been to a pop-up museum? Tell us about your experience in the comments and plan your trip to more than 4,200 locations in large and small art cities around the world. Get special rates and savings when you book your rooms with Best Western Rewards.