The first journal

Brief situation of museums and galleries in China

In China, museums and galleries have very different situation. Museums are usually belonging to states and governments. Some important museums of culture and history are founded and supported by the government. These kinds of museums such as National Museum of China, Shanxi History Museum and Nanjing Museum have plentiful finance supports from the national and local government. All of these museums introduce the trace and history of Chinese of civilization and show the change and transformation of social life and the tradition. Such kind of museum is the most famous and popular museum in China. However, these museums are always not free to the public: because the entrance fee is an important income of museums. Some museums are the most popular tourist attractions of the local state. One example is Museum of the Terra- cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang. Since the museum’s opening to the public, it already has more than 50 million visitors.

Galleries are usually founded by private or organizations. They are usually survived by art business and other sponsors. These galleries are ways relevant with contemporary art. Currently, private art galleries usually display in some important cities such as Beijing and Shanghai. In other cities, few private galleries have survival space and continue for a long time. However, private galleries are increasing in China, the environment of art and galleries is developing. In China, a new management style of museums has been developed, that is, some private galleries and art studios have a cooperation to constitute an art zoon. “798” is an example of artistic community in Beijing, which can hold more than 1000 guests: 1000 square meters and up to 9 meters high structural exhibition. It includes galleries, shops, design studios, restaurants and other cultural institutions. The high lever and various exhibitions in different galleries attract visitors and researching groups. It can solve their financial issue with some commercial shows and trades. It is a positive example of galleries developing in China.

These are just general information of the situation, I just want you have some basic ideas. Also, another important point in China is the policy, or you can understand as the power of the party. All the formal museums which funded by the government, need to follow the policy of the party. That means the limit of the art, and with more political voice or purpose. This is really sad thing of our developing.