THE PLATFORM: VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 October 2004 The Platform is published by AEA Consulting, a company that specializes in strategic and operational planning for the cultural sector. The Platform promotes discussion and understanding of the critical factors affecting cultural planning and the successful management of cultural organizations. Comments or contributions welcomed by Alexis Frasz, Editor, at
[email protected]. Back issues available at www.aeaconsulting.com . If you don’t wish to receive The Platform in the future, send an e-mail to this address saying ‘not interested.’ ARTICLE China’s New Cultural Revolution By Elizabeth Casale China’s cultural sector is growing rapidly in size and scope and sophistication in parallel with that country’s staggering pace of economic development. There has been much talk in the arts community about the Chinese government’s intention to build 1,000 new museums across the country by 2015. While the number may seem exaggerated, it is not. The State Administration of Cultural Heritage, the government bureau in charge of China’s museums nationwide, indeed has announced such a plan, adding that this unprecedented state investment in cultural infrastructure will, among other things, ensure that every mid-sized and large city in the country has at least one museum. How officials arrived at the fantastic-sounding figure of 1,000 starts to become clearer once one internalizes the fact that China currently has approximately100 urban areas with a population of 1 million or more. Beijing alone is planning to add at least 32 new museums by 2008. Already underway is a $220 million expansion of the National Museum of China that will double the exhibition spaces, and, in a move that reflects a new emphasis on visitor services and earned income generation, complement them with a museum shop, café and cinema.