The term harks back to the Greek origin of the institution as the abode of the muses , a place of learning and inspiration .
Museums are important cultural institutions, symbols of power, stature, and sophistication.
In the United States alone there are more than 1,200 art museums, half of which are less than 25 years old. Many of these are devoted to modern and contemporary art and are among the most important buildings in their communities. Once seen as elitist , these institutions enjoy broad popular appeal, diverse audiences and a substantial amount of private as well as public support. Museums are seen to be educational instruments for the systematic organization and presentation of artistic and natural phenomena . Museums are really the creation of the 18th century period known as the Enlightenment.