OPH's democratic mission needs cash

The keepers of Australia's democratic history warn they need more money to make sure the stories stay alive for future generations.

The Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House doesn't have much capacity to raise funds, it says in its annual report.

Director Daryl Karp warns that even the plan to maintain the art deco building is underfunded.

"Unlike other national collecting institutions, the museum has limited capacity to retain earned income, which we are seeking to address," she writes.

The museum aims to become a place cultural workers seek to work in but notes it cannot compete with many other institutions in budget or exhibition size.

In 2013/14 the museum launched its new strategic plan and changed the way it organised exhibitions, allowing for more timely or quirky pop-up shows.

Its overhaul paid off, with a 20 per cent increase in visitor numbers from the previous year.

This included more than 6000 people who cast their vote for the 2013 federal election at Old Parliament House.