Metmuseum MCP vs Smithsonian MCP
A side-by-side look at the Metmuseum MCP and Smithsonian MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Metmuseum MCP for art & culture work as a local process; choose Smithsonian MCP for art & culture as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Metmuseum MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Art & Culture domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
list-departments, search-museum-objects, get-museum-object.
Choose Smithsonian MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Art & Culture domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY, MCP_TRANSPORT, MCP_HOST, MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS, UV_PROJECT_ENVIRONMENT. - You want tools like
simple_explore, continue_explore, search_collections.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Art & Culture | Art & Culture |
| Quality signal | 64/100 · Good | 57/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | API key required |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | SMITHSONIAN_API_KEYMCP_TRANSPORTMCP_HOSTMCP_ALLOWED_HOSTSUV_PROJECT_ENVIRONMENT |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 35 | 10 |
| Directory activity | 7 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 4 | 18 |
| Full listing | View Metmuseum MCP | View Smithsonian MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Metmuseum MCP tools 4
list-departmentsList all departments in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met Museum)search-museum-objectsSearch for objects in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met Museum). Will return Total objects found, followed by a paginated list of Object Ids. If the Met Explorer app (open-met-explorer) is open and the user is referring to its existing results, prefer using those results from context instead of calling this tool. The parameter title should be set to true if you want to search for objects by title. The parameter hasImages is false by default, but can be set to true to return only objects with images. Additional optional filters are available for highlights, tags, on-view status, artist/culture match, medium, geographic location, and date range. Use page and pageSize to paginate results.get-museum-objectGet a museum object by its ID, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art Collection. Use this when the user asks for deeper details on a specific object ID.open-met-explorerOpen the interactive Met Explorer app for browsing and filtering objects. For exploration intents, pass q so the app can run a live search on open. After opening, keep your chat handoff short and UI-focused. For deeper details on a specific object ID, prefer get-museum-object.
Smithsonian MCP tools 18
simple_exploreSmart diverse sampling across museums and object types (recommended for general discovery)continue_exploreGet more results about the same topic while avoiding duplicatessearch_collectionsAdvanced search with filters (prioritizes museum-specific results when unit_code specified)search_and_get_first_url**Easiest option**: Search and get validated URL in one step (prevents manual URL construction)get_object_detailsDetailed object informationget_object_urlGet validated object URLs with flexible identifier support (MANDATORY: never construct URLs manually)search_by_unitMuseum-specific searchesget_objects_on_viewFind objects currently on physical exhibitcheck_object_on_viewCheck if a specific object is on displayget_museum_collection_typesGet comprehensive list of object types available in each museum (based on systematic collection sampling)check_museum_has_object_typeCheck if a specific museum has objects of a particular type (e.g., paintings, sculptures)get_smithsonian_unitsList all museums- +6 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Metmuseum MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"mikechao-metmuseum-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"metmuseum-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Smithsonian MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"molanojustin-smithsonian-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"at"
],
"env": {
"SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY": "YOUR_SMITHSONIAN_API_KEY_HERE",
"MCP_TRANSPORT": "YOUR_MCP_TRANSPORT_HERE",
"MCP_HOST": "YOUR_MCP_HOST_HERE",
"MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS": "YOUR_MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS_HERE",
"UV_PROJECT_ENVIRONMENT": "YOUR_UV_PROJECT_ENVIRONMENT_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Metmuseum MCP is categorized under Art & Culture and uses a local stdio subprocess. Smithsonian MCP belongs to Art & Culture and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Metmuseum MCP for art & culture work and Smithsonian MCP for art & culture.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Metmuseum MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Smithsonian MCP is listed as free. Auth: api key required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add mikechao-metmuseum-mcp and molanojustin-smithsonian-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Metmuseum MCP has a quality signal of 64/100 (Good) with 7 views, 0 installs and 35 GitHub stars. Smithsonian MCP has 57/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 10 GitHub stars.