The Metropolitan Museum of Art, commonly referred to as the MET, is one of the largest and most prestigious art museums in the world. Located in New York City, it houses an extensive collection that spans over 5,000 years of art from various cultures and time periods. It holds the title of being the largest museum globally by floor space and the largest one in the Americas. In 2023 it welcomed 5.46 million visitors making it the most popular museum in the United States and the fourth most visited one worldwide.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art organizes its collection through seventeen distinct departments staffed by experts in various fields of study and research areas along with six conservation departments and a dedicated team for scientific research. The collection showcases a range of artistic pieces from classical antiquity and ancient Egypt to European paintings and sculptures by renowned masters as well as an impressive selection of American and contemporary art. Additionally the Met boasts an array of African, Asian, Oceanian, Byzantine and Islamic art pieces, in its possession. The museum also houses collections of musical instruments, clothing and accessories from different countries around the globe as well as antique weapons and armor. Numerous period rooms representing eras from ancient Rome to contemporary American design are permanently exhibited in the Mets galleries. For over a century now the Museum has been gathering a range of materials, from diverse global sources. The museum effectively engages with a variety of professionals including exhibition designers and architects to ensure the preservation of its collections in condition.