Until recently, museums have been given relatively little consideration within cultural and media studies. Where they have been addressed, it is in their role as disciplinary and hegemonic institutions. This book sets out to demonstrate that museums deserve a more central place in studies of culture and of media. As well as showing how cultural and media theory can be applied to museums, it puts forward a museum theory of media. It discusses both historical and contemporary examples, from cabinets of curiosity, through avant-garde exhibition design, to science centres and the use of new media in museums. It draws on a diverse and eclectic range of theory. This book will be indispensible for anyone beginning to consider the social and cultural significance of virtual, immersive and interactive museums and exhibitions, and for those interested in materialist theories of culture.