Current Practices and Technologies in Museum Lighting: Results from a Nationwide Online Survey of U.S. Institutions

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become the dominant lighting technology in museums and galleries, yet little is known about how they are currently implemented in practice. This study reports results from a nationwide online survey of U.S. museum lighting professionals examining lighting technologies, selection criteria, and standards use. Responses indicate that LEDs account for the majority of museum lighting systems, while legacy sources such as fluorescent, metal halide, and halogen lamps play a limited role. Lamp selection is primarily driven by conservation-related concerns, color appearance, and dimming capability, with energy efficiency considered secondary. Practitioners commonly reference multiple guidelines, including ANSI/IES RP-30, CIE 157, and Canadian Conservation Institute recommendations. The findings provide an updated snapshot of contemporary museum lighting practice and highlight ongoing variability in the application of standards, underscoring the need for clearer, harmonized guidance in the solid-state lighting era.