Exhibition in Guanfu Museum. [File photo]

Ma Weidu has led the way on that trend. In 2007, he announced that Guanfu Museum would be managed by a special council rather than by himself and set up Guanfu Culture Foundation, with the hope of attracting more social donations.

The founders of private-run museums have called on the government to establish a nationally unified market-access system, therefore ensuring better management for the operation of private museums.

Hopes for museum owners

In February, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the Ministry of Finance and another five ministries released a joint document with the intention to improve development of private-run museums.

According to the document, the local government should give strong support for foundations of private-run museums, such as offering premises and infrastructure to those owners. The museums can enjoy preferential policies in accordance with the current taxation laws, in terms of receiving donations, ticket revenue and nonprofit revenues.

On April 23, through government support, a committee of private-run museums was established in order to support the development of private-run museums.