Cultural Infrastructure Index 2025

The global picture of cultural investment is bigger, more concentrated, and overwhelmingly museum-led according to the AEA Consulting Cultural Infrastructure Index.

This is the only dataset I’ve seen tracking 3,150 capital projects globally, each over $10M—essential context for anyone working in the cultural sector.

🏛️ Museums dominate — over 50% of all projects
🗺️ Geography matters — North America leads (~44%), followed by Asia and Europe
📈 Momentum continues — more projects are being announced than complete

The takeaway: The continued prioritization of large, place-based cultural infrastructure is evident, even in a world increasingly shaped by digital and hybrid experiences. Cities and institutions are still betting big on physical space as a driver of identity, tourism, and economic development.

Are we looking at another museum expansion cycle—or something more structural in how culture is funded globally?

Full report and dashboard available here:
https://lnkd.in/ex2gr_i7