Museum virtual exhibitions: terminological aspect

The paper analyzes the concept of "virtual exhibition" used in professional museum community. "Virtual exhibition" appeared in the museum language at the beginning of the new millennium. It is emphasized by the absence of a definition of "virtual exhibition" in authoritative reference works that reveals the content of this concept. Materials on the websites of domestic museums under this title were found to vary in content, volume and design. Examples are given of successful exhibition projects in virtual space. It is noted that there is no definition, describing the content of «virtual exhibition» in authoritative reference publications. The context of their creation during the COVID-19 pandemic is considered; the features of presentation on the websites of various museums are revealed. The need to improve the conceptual and terminological apparatus caused by the digital transformation of such cultural institutions is disclosed. Definition of "virtual museum exhibition" is offered, which reflects specifics of creation and nature of the exhibition as a universal form of expositional activities in virtual space.