Since its establishment in 1879, the employees of the National Museum in Krakow have been carrying out research into the amassed collections. In 2010, the NMK – as the first museum in Poland – was granted the status of a research centre in the field of studies pertaining to art and artistic work.

In the museum development strategies for 2007-2013 and 2014-2020, research activity was recognized as one of the three key domains of this Institution along with conservation and exhibitions. In its research strategy, the emphasis was placed on supporting the development of research potential, and in particular on the development of academic staff through the individual development of employees in various fields of science. This focus on individuality stems from the diversity of the 800,000 collection items, the research into which requires – according to contemporary standards – knowledge in many areas, as well as constant search for new solutions and stimuli.

The National Museum in Krakow conducts research into two areas: in the field of art, history, archaeology, etc. and in the field of the protection of collections – research into heritage, conservation. The conservation works are supported by Laboratory for Analysis and Non-Destructive Research into Artefacts (LANBOZ), which is a modern research centre on heritage, modelled on the best institutions of its type in the world.

Text by dr Kamilla Twardowska