Museums often house ancient fossils and precious artefacts from bygone eras, but this week museums across the UK are going digital – and are even encouraging selfies.

More than 300 museums, galleries and cultural institutions nationwide are coming together on Twitter for the first ever #MuseumWeek.

The initiative aims to bring museums to life for people, giving them a “unique glimpse behind the scenes”.

Organisations taking part range from leading cultural organisations such as the Tate, to lesser-known, smaller or more specialist collections, such as Kidderminster’s Museum of Carpet.

Every day each museum will tweet with the relevant day’s hashtag.

Yesterday’s theme gave an insider perspective to a typical day at the museum (#DayInTheLife), and today museums will ask questions, propose riddles and create quizzes to test people’s knowledge (#MuseumMastermind).

On Wednesday, people will be asked to take a trip down memory lane and share their story, from favourite museums to memorable visits (#MuseumMemories).

Thursday will offer an alternative insight into the structure, architecture and history of museums (#BehindTheArt).

On Friday there will be a unique opportunity for culture lovers to connect directly with the experts, and get their questions answered (#Ask-TheCurator).

Saturday is selfie day when museums will encourage people to create their own museum portrait (#MuseumSelfies).

And, finally, on Sunday people will be asked to tweet new titles for historic artwork, to summarise collections in 140 characters or provide a tour of a collection in a Vine video (#GetCreative).

British Culture Minister Ed Vaizey said: “Our museums are fascinating places of knowledge and discovery and the first ever #MuseumWeek will allow millions of followers to get a unique glimpse behind the scenes.

“It’s fantastic that so many of our museums including the Science Museum, Tate, and the British Museum are taking part, highlighting to a global audience why they’re among the most popular and exciting attractions in the UK.”

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