The Power of Collaboration

Download the 2016 U.S.-China Museum Summit summary report The Power of Collaboration in English.

The 2016 U.S.-China Museum Summit was the last installment in a series of cross-cultural dialogues focusing on international collaborations in exhibition exchange between museums in North American and China and the first hosted in the United States. Co-organized by the American Federation of Arts, Asia Society, the Chinese Museums Association, and the Nanjing Museum, the Summit convened at various institutions in New York City and hosted nearly sixty professionals from thirty-seven art institutions in China, the United States, and Canada.

During the course of the wide-ranging two-day program, a significantly increased alignment of perspectives was evident between the U.S. and Chinese delegations. The gatherings in 2012 and 2014 focused on assessing comparative needs, establishing protocols, and identifying tangible projects and initiatives. At the 2016 meeting, a new dynamic unfolded in which the U.S. and Chinese museum leaders examined various issues, previously explored and newly developed, on more of an equal footing.

Since “Meeting the West: Exhibitions from American Museums” and the U.S.-China Museum Leaders Forum in 2014, participating museums have collaborated on a number of successful international exhibitions, which provided the 2016 group with a wealth of case studies that highlighted challenges and concerns. Discussed at the 2016 Summit were the following aims:

• Strengthen relationships by sustaining dialogue and collaboration
• Examine challenges and opportunities presented by globalization
• Engage new audiences: notably younger and more diverse visitors, who represent a more inclusive perspective
• Increase accessibility for the general public
• Address divergent financial systems: investigate creative solutions for key disparities
• Envision a shared future

The conference ended on a high note, with energy and enthusiasm shared by all of the participants. Building upon the groundwork laid at the previous meetings, the 2016 U.S.-China Museum Summit presented a developing equilibrium between the museums of the two hemispheres. It is clear that the relationship between these museums has ascended to a new level, at which the counterparts show stronger confidence in working with each other and a commitment to sustaining an open dialogue. Ongoing initiatives will further strengthen understanding and enhance interactions between nations through collaborations in the arts.

Editors
Boon Hui Tan, Vice President of Global Arts & Cultural Programs and Director of Asia Society Museum
Pauline Willis, Director, American Federation of Arts
Zoe Fan-En Chiu Wahba

Project Managers
Michelle Hargrave, Curator and Director of China Initiative, American Federation of Arts
Kelly Ma, Manager, Museum Special Initiatives, Asia Society

Copyeditor
Deanna Lee

Translator
Shawn Yuan, China Initiative Consultant, American Federation of Arts

Research and Editorial Support
Nick Pozek, Manager, Museum Digital Strategy, Asia Society
Kirstin Purtich, Curatorial Associate, American Federation of Arts
Audrey Walen, Manager of Publications, American Federation of Arts
Heng Wu, Deputy Director of Cultural Exchange Centre, Nanjing Museum

Designer
Giorgio Milella

The American Federation of Arts and Asia Society are grateful to the following supporters for their generous contribution to the 2016 U.S.-China Museum Summit:

Terra Foundation for American Art
The Julis-Rabinowitz Family Art Initiative
K11 Art Foundation
Diller Scofidio + Renfro
MAD Architects
DSL Collection
Ennead Architects