Private and Public Museums in China

Rose Kerr, Honorary Associate of the Needham Research Institute in Cambridge, previously Keeper of the Far Eastern Department at the Victoria & Albert Museum from 1978-2003

Throughout the history of the People’s Republic of China (1949-) museums have presented no political threat to its government. Indeed, they have been employed to frame and present history and culture in a manner that the authorities approve. For that reason, museums kept their doors open through the dark days of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), and continue to be generously supported by cities and state. In recent years, many old museum buildings have been replaced, renovated or renewed. Since the 1990s, the growing wealth of China has led to the opening of many private museums. The enormous affluence of certain individuals has ensured that most private museums contain rich, diverse collections of art objects.