The Ghibli Museum, which showcases the work of Studio Ghibli, started a crowdfunding drive to save the museum from permanent closure and has already raised more than $200,000.
The attraction in Mitaka was forced to close between February and July last year due to COVID-19. It then closed again this year between April and June, losing more revenue.
The Ghibli Museum’s crowdfunding drive was launched by the city of Mitaka on July 16 and is only taking donations from residents of Japan (via Kotaku). Funds will go towards repairs and maintenance.
The campaign requested $91,000 in donations. However, in a few days, the Ghibli Museum has raised more than $200,000. The campaign continues through January 31, 2022.
The museum, which opened back in 2001, had already received a grant from the city of Mitaka, but it wasn’t enough to cover the necessary repairs and maintenance.
Ghibli Museum faced permanent closure
The Today Art Museum in Beijing recently launched an exhibition exploring the work of Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli. The exhibit displays scripts, sketches, installations and immersive scenes.
The exhibit is the result of a partnership between Today Art Museum and Tianyu Culture Group. “Ghibli’s works, especially those of Mr Miyazaki, have been watched and favoured all over Asia,” said Song Peiran, chairman of Tianyu Culture.
Elsewhere, Studio Ghibli is opening a theme park in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture in 2022. Ghibli Park comprises five themed lands, inspired by films such as Kiki’s Delivery Service, Howl’s Moving Castle and Castle in the Sky.
Studio Ghibli chairman Kiyofumi Nakajima said at the groundbreaking: “The 2005 Expo’s theme of ‘love’ has also been portrayed in Studio Ghibli’s films consistently, so we can inherit that philosophy.
“We aim to make the facility a world-class park and hope many people will visit here.”
Images: Studio Ghibli
