Tenerife Museums Open Private Collections for International Museum Day 2026

The Tenerife Museum Network has announced its schedule for International Museum Day 2026. Following the theme set by ICOM, this year’s events focus on how museums can act as bridges in an increasingly polarized world. The goal is to move beyond traditional exhibits and transform these spaces into hubs for social connection and open discussion.

A key part of this initiative is a commitment to transparency, with museums opening up their private collections to the public. José Carlos Acha, head of Culture and Museums at the Cabildo, explained that the strategy aims to democratize access to heritage items that are usually kept in storage due to space or conservation needs. By sharing these collections, museums hope to provide an educational experience that helps build a shared sense of history.

The program is divided into two main parts:

First, the Museum of Nature and Archaeology (MUNA) will offer tours of its scientific collection on May 19 and 21, with sessions at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Highlights include a collection of African meteorites and a humpback anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii) caught near the island in early 2025.

Second, the Museum of History and Anthropology of Tenerife at Casa Lercaro will host "Ordered Objects, Connected Worlds." During these sessions—held on May 18, 19, 21, and 22—curators will guide visitors through restricted areas. The goal is to show how collections are organized and cataloged, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how museums shape historical narratives and promote social inclusion.