China is emerging as a global leader in cultural construction amidst a hectic year that saw a marked decline in new museum building according to AEA Consulting’s just released 2020 Cultural Infrastructure Index.

Overall construction is down 30% in the sector compared to last year’s report, though 2020 did see an increase in announced projects (130) and project values ($8.2 billion) for the first time since the index started keeping tabs in 2016. 

The report indicated China as a key driver of trends within the industry, doubling its planned projects from last year to 24 and outspending the United States for the first time by about $1.7 billion. Shenzhen in particular was a magnet for infrastructure spending in the cultural sector, placing seven projects on the list of the top thirteen most expensive globally to the tune of $2.5 billion. Recently announced projects in the city include a new science and technology museum designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, a cloud-inspired maritime museum from SANAA, and a new opera house by Jean Nouvel. Asia led the index with 34 projects completed.

North America and Europe seem to have been more impacted by the pandemic than other continents. Both saw significant declines in completed projects (50% in North America, 40% in Europe) while investments in the former tumbled down to $1.5 billion from a peak of about $3.8 in 2019.

The median budget for each of the four project types was around $30 million. Museums and performing arts centers accounted for about three-quarters of announced projects in the index.

This comes at a time when many feel the future of the industry may be in peril. A letter to Congress from the American Alliance of Museums in March of last year estimated that 30% of museums in the US could face permanent closure as a result of pandemic-related economic losses. 

104 projects were completed overall. The full AEA report can be accessed here.