The fragility of cultural philanthropy: why private art museums close

Abstract

Recently, considerable attention has been devoted to the rise of private art museums in the field of museum and cultural studies. One question which has figured prominently is if these museums are able to stand the test of time. Systematic empirical studies of this issue are so far scarce. On the basis of a new database of private museum closures worldwide, this paper explores why private museums close. By studying such closures, this article aims to advance our understanding of private museum sustainability and longevity. On the basis of statistical data and qualitative content analysis, we also examine what happens to the displayed art collections after such institutions close. Our main findings are that private museum closures are multifaceted, complex events frequently involving financial issues. Moreover, we conclude that because of their funding models and reliance on a sole founder, they are inherently fragile organizations. Indeed, we find that the median number of years private museums have been open before closing is no more than 10.

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