Where MuseaShelf's data comes from
MuseaShelf isn't a mirror of any single external database. It combines a couple of open data sources with real work from the people who actually use it: museum-goers who submit what's missing, and a Crew who reviews every change before it goes live.
Open data we build on
OpenStreetMap
When someone submits a new museum, MuseaShelf uses OpenStreetMap's open map data to suggest the address, city, country, and region. These details are filled in where possible and shown to the submitter for review before the museum is saved.
Wikidata & Wikimedia Commons
When a museum has a Wikidata entry, MuseaShelf can use that information to suggest a freely licensed photo from Wikimedia Commons during submission. The suggested photo is shown to the submitter and can be replaced before the museum is saved.
Both are used only at the moment someone submits a museum, to speed up filling in a form that would otherwise start from a blank page. They're not a live sync, and they don't apply to exhibitions.
Why MuseaShelf isn't just a copy of open data
Open datasets like OpenStreetMap and Wikidata are incredible resources, but they are built for general knowledge rather than dedicated museum tracking. Entries can be incomplete, out of date, or missing entirely. A small local gallery might not be mapped at all, while a major institution might only have a street address and no information about its current exhibitions.
MuseaShelf uses open data as a starting point, but ultimately relies on the people who use the archive. Visitors and museum lovers can add missing museums, correct outdated details, and log new exhibitions as they happen. The result is a living archive that grows with its community, rather than a static snapshot of a general-purpose database.
Built and checked by people
The MuseaShelf community
The archive grows through contributions from real people. Someone might notice that a museum is missing, spot an outdated detail, or add an exhibition that has just opened. These contributions help keep MuseaShelf useful and current for everyone.
Crew review
Every submission and edit is reviewed by MuseaShelf's Crew before it appears publicly. They check that the information is appropriate for the archive and clean up anything that isn't quite right, rather than publishing changes completely unchecked.
Notice something missing?
If a museum or exhibition isn't on MuseaShelf yet, you can add it yourself.