Research
The foundation of the museum’s research work lies in the in-depth study of its collection, with particular focus on the historical part.
We research
The research process includes the acquisition of items for the museum’s collection, in line with the collection development policy. This is a purposeful work aimed at acquiring objects for exhibitions and displays; developing collections of contemporary literary and musical figures; and identifying, creating, and expanding collections of nationally significant cultural personalities that are underrepresented or missing from the collection.
Research also involves the scientific documentation of newly acquired objects, known as collection processing. This work is carried out by the museum’s Collection Research Department staff – art experts. These scientific descriptions form the basis of our collection databases, including the museum’s digital catalogue (MUPUS) and external platforms such as the National Library of Latvia’s digital collections “Dziesmu svētku krātuve”, “Rainis un Aspazija”, and others.
The most visible and publicly accessible part of our research is the creation of relevant and meaningful content for communication: exhibitions, displays, conferences, lectures, educational programmes, events, publications, and more.
Through our research, we actively take part in current developments in both the academic and professional fields, making a valuable contribution to the contemporary communication of cultural heritage in Latvia and internationally.
We collaborate with professionals across disciplines to ensure that the museum’s stories are expressed with originality and high artistic value.
The results of our research can be explored through scientific conferences and in our published proceedings “Akti. Fakti. Artefakti”, the digital magazine “Stāstnesis”, the “Mēneša priekšmets” feature on our website, and across our social media platforms.
Others research our collection
The value of our collection inspires both scholars and artists.
Authors of books, plays, films, and television series find testimonies in the museum that they reinterpret in their creative work. In this way, the historical stories of objects are reborn in new narratives and begin a new life in the emotions and memories of contemporary audiences.
Art collection items are also exhibited in displays and exhibitions organised by other museums.
Some examples:
- “Ludolfs Liberts (1895–1959). Art Deco hipnotiskais spožums” – exhibition at the Latvian National Museum of Art (2024–2025).
- “Pansija pilī” – a multi-episode drama by studio Mistrus Media. Director of the documentary series: Gints Grūbe (2024).
- “Dzejnieks un Auķis” – LTV documentary film about Ausma Kantāne and Imants Ziedonis. Directed by Guntis Lēmanis, screenplay by Ilze Strenga (2023).
- “Smiļģis” – Dailes Theatre production about Eduards Smiļģis. Play by Māra Zālīte, directed by Viesturs Kairišs (2021).
- “Es esmu…” – a series of novels and monographs on Latvian literary classics, published by Dienas Grāmata (since 2019).