Chinese American Museum
The Chinese American Museum (Chinese: 華美博物館) is a museum located in Downtown Los Angeles as a part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. It is dedicated to the history and experience of Chinese Americans in the state of California, first such museum in Southern California. It presents exhibits of fine art by Chinese American artists as well as historical exhibits.
Planning for the museum began in October 1984, with the grand opening taking place on December 18, 2003.
The museum is housed in the Garnier Building, the oldest surviving Chinese building in Southern California. The original Los Angeles Chinatown was located here before it was moved to New Chinatown for the construction of Los Angeles Union Station[1].
It is funded by the State of California, the City of Los Angeles, Friends of the Chinese American Museum, the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, the Getty Trust, the El Pueblo Association, the Center for Chinese Medicine, and hundreds of other donors.
Exhibits
A permanent exhibit at the museum is the recreation of the Hing Yuen Hong Chinese Herb Shop of yesteryear.
The current featured exhibit is "Sunshine and Shadow: In Search of Jake Lee", showcasing the 60 watercolor work of prolific artist Jake Lee. Past exhibits have included "Milton Quon's Los Angeles" (2005-2006), "The Art of Diana Shui-In Wong" (2006), and "Tyrus Wong (Chinese: 黃齊耀): A Retrospective" (2004), who was one of the earliest and most influential Chinese American artists[2].
Events
During the Chinese New Year celebration each year, a Lantern Festival is held at the museum, featuring live entertainment, including lion dancers, acrobatics, musical, and dance performances[3].
Each year, the museum sponsors the annual Historymakers Awards Banquet, which "honors extraordinary individuals who have made a significant impact or contribution towards the advancement of the Chinese American community and beyond." 2008 honorees will include Lisa Ling (Chinese: 凌志慧) (journalism) and Arthur Dong (Chinese:曾奕田) (film), in September[4].
- Other Historymakers Awards honorees:
- Jackie Chan (Chinese: 成龍) (entertainment), 2003
- Iris Chang (Chinese: 張純如) (arts), 1998
- Joan Chen (Chinese: 陳冲) (arts), 2000
- John Chiang (Chinese: 江俊輝) (government), 2007
- Andrew and Peggy Cher (culinary culture), 2005
- Assemblymember Judy Chu (Chinese: 趙美心) (government), 2006
- Tim Dang (entertainment), 2006
- March Fong Eu (Chinese: 江月桂) (government), 1997
- Nancy Kwan (Chinese: 關家蒨) (actress), 2001
- Michelle Kwan (Chinese: 關穎珊) (sports), 1999
- C.Y. Lee (literary arts), 2006
- Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (government), 2005
- Lisa See (author), 2003
- Tyrus Wong (Chinese: 黃齊耀) (artist), 2001
See also
References
- ^ Angels Walk - Chinatown, Lisa See (writer), published by Angels Walk LA, 2003
- ^ Past exhibits at CAM
- ^ Lantern Festival 2007
- ^ 12th Annual Historymakers Awards
External links
 | This article related to an art display, art museum or gallery in the United States is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This Los Angeles County, California–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
  | This article related to the history of China is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |