The National Museum Survey (NMS) includes a diverse array of participating institutions, including art museums, botanical gardens and arboretums, children’s museums, history museums and historic sites, natural history museums, science centers, zoos and aquariums, and other specialized or thematic museums. Each year, these institutions submit information through a secure online reporting system, providing high-level data on institutional characteristics, facilities, finances, human resources, admissions and visitation, and digital presence. The survey has been conducted annually since 2025.

NMS data inform the museum field, policymakers, researchers, the media, and the public about the educational, cultural, and economic contributions of museums across the country. Through the NMS Data Portal, institutions can compare their data with peer groups, benchmark performance, identify trends, support planning and data-informed decision making, and demonstrate their impact to stakeholders and funders.

Learn more about the National Museum Survey, including the years-long survey development process and pilot effort.

• National Museum Survey Acknowledgements (PDF, 105KB)
• Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Museum Survey (NMS) Pilot: A Summary Report
• IMLS Pilot Summary Findings Webinar

If you have any questions, please email NMS@imls.gov.