Shanghai Museum East Photo: Couresy of Shanghai Museum

 
Shanghai Museum has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bowers Museum in the US,MKS sports setting the stage for the establishment of a permanent gallery in the US dedicated to ancient Chinese art. The agreement marks the launch of Shanghai Museum's first overseas branch, according to Shanghai Museum on Sunday.

Chu Xiaobo, director of Shanghai Museum, told the Global Times on Sunday that the initiative is a significant step in the institution's project to promote Chinese culture globally and expand its influence on the world stage. 

"Going forward, Shanghai Museum will continue advancing its international presence, fostering a network that connects civilizations across the East and the West while shaping a world-class cultural brand with Chinese characteristics," Chu said.

Unveiled in December 2022, the project outlines a "3+X" development framework, with its core consisting of the museum's People's Square headquarters, the East Pavilion, and the North Pavilion. The "X" component represents a flexible approach to expansion, including overseas branches, "museum within a museum" initiatives, and long-term collaborations on Chinese art exhibitions.

Sean O'Harrow, president and CEO of Bowers Museum, a premier cultural art museum in Southern California, emphasized that the partnership will provide the US public with a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. 

"This collaboration will enable Bowers Museum to present significant pieces of China's vast cultural heritage, offering visitors an in-depth view of China's artistic achievements and historical treasures," he told the Xinhua News Agency.

Jiao Tianlong, chief curator and director of the Asian Exhibition Program of Bowers Museum, noted that the two institutions share a long-standing relationship and will work closely to curate exhibitions centered on China's 5,000-year civilization, as reported by the China News Service. The gallery is expected to open in 2026.

A nonprofit institution founded in 1936, Bowers Museum is the largest and oldest museum in southern California. It has long played a role in fostering cultural exchanges between China and the US. 

This is not the first collaboration between Bowers Museum and Chinese institutions. With cooperation and exchange programs with Shanghai Museum, the Palace Museum, and Nanjing Museum, the museum has hosted a variety of exhibitions featuring China's cultural heritage, including displays on the Forbidden City, the Terracotta Warriors from Shaanxi Province, and relics from other regions of China.

In December, as the Keqiutou Site Museum in Pingtan, Fujian Province, opened its doors, the Bowers Museum contributed 276 Austronesian cultural artifacts, including wood carvings, pottery, shell ornaments and traditional clothing, for a two-year exhibition.

In recent years, Chinese museums have deepened bilateral exchanges with leading institutions worldwide, forging agreements on conservation, holding exhibitions, and museum management. The inaugural Global Museum Directors Forum in April 2019 brought together representatives from 24 countries, including the British Museum and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, alongside over 50 Chinese museum directors. Discussions ranged from the role of museums in the Silk Road Initiative to the integration of digital technology in exhibitions, paving the way for new collaborations.

Most recently, the M20+ International Museum Conference in late 2024 elevated international cooperation to new heights. According to Xinhua, the event welcomed nearly 100 museum representatives from 11 countries, with many expressing an interest in working with Chinese institutions.

Luísa Penalva, senior advisor at Portugal's National Museum of Ancient Art, underscored the importance of such exchanges. 

"I had never collaborated with Chinese museums before, which is one of the main reasons I came. I believe this is crucial. Museums have the power to bring people together and highlight our shared humanity."

Over the past decade, China's museum sector has undergone rapid expansion, with the number of institutions rising from 4,000 to over 6,800, while visitor numbers have nearly doubled. Many cities have constructed new museums or undertaken extensive renovations, creating a dynamic landscape for cultural development.

"This opportunity has revealed a strong desire among international museums to collaborate with China," Chu said. 

"They see our progress, our vision, and they seek partnerships built on mutual respect and shared success."