Guanfu Museum [File photo]

Dilemma of private-run museums

Because of sound management and successful marketing, such as arranging regular exhibitions and holding various cultural activities, not to mention Ma's celebrity, Guanfu Museum is the only financial viable private-run museum among the 1000 in China.

According to several curators from different private-run museums, without government funds, revenues from ticket sales generally are insufficient to offset daily operation costs, although the government doesn't tax that income.

Owner Yao Yuanli said, "We actually are engaged in a public welfare project. We hope to make full use of our private collections to make a contribution to society. However, because of a shortage of funds, many private-run museums face a destiny of closure."

Former Vice Director of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage Ma Zishu said that in other countries, museums are usually under the management of social organizations or foundations, which can collect funds from society to better support museums. The socialization of private museums is a trend.