What Is Collecting?
Collections of objects are the foundation of most museums. Museums preserve, exhibit, and interpret collections. Explore the concept of museum collections as well as personal collections through these games and activities.
What does it mean for a museum to “collect”?
Why do collections matter?
How and why do collections change over time?
Image: The Phillips Collection’s Main Gallery in 1927
Dive deeper with these activities
The Museum’s Story
The Phillips doesn’t just collect and display its art. It does so much more! How well do you know The Phillips Collection?
Personal Collections
Consider your own collection and how it relates to museums’ collections.
Evolving Curiosities
Learn about cabinets of curiosities, the foundation of modern-day museum collections.
Forming Collections
Explore the many ways works of art entered the Phillips’s collection.
Displaying Collections
Every museum’s collection is unique. Decide where you would display different art collections.
Art in Conversation
Discover four Phillips artworks of different styles and time periods, and develop a story connecting two of them.
Curating Collections
Arrange artworks to tell your own story using Phillips Collection artworks.