NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: THE RISE OF PRIVATE COLLECTION MUSEUMS SINCE 2000

Private art collection museums are not new, but what is different is the number opened over the past two decades. Using specific examples and case studies, this thesis examines private collectors who establish museums – the motivations, the long-term sustainability and legacy, and takes a brief look at whether these private museums are having an impact on traditional art museums. There is a paucity of scholarly published material on new private collection museums in the U.S. and through research and interviews with experts in the field, this thesis aims to throws light on the often contentious, but important new additions to the art museum canon.