Chinese American Museum


The Chinese American Museum 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, the 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.
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 Foundation, 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. Another permanent exhibit opened on December 13, 2012, is "Origins: The Birth and Rise of Chinese American Communities in Los Angeles", celebrating the growth and development of Cantonese American enclaves from Downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley.
Past exhibits have included "Sunshine and Shadow: In Search of Jake Lee", showcasing the 60 watercolor work of prolific artist Jake Lee; "Milton Quon's Los Angeles" ; "The Art of Diana Shui-In Wong" ; and "Tyrus Wong : A Retrospective", who was one of the earliest and most influential Chinese American artists.
  • The exhibit on "Hollywood Chinese: The Arthur Dong Collection" was opened on October 23, 2009. It was based on Arthur Dong's Hollywood Chinese documentary that was broadcast on PBS on May 27, 2009. The documentary, a study of more than 90 years of Chinese Americans in films, ranging from the first Chinese American film The Curse of Quon Gwon that was produced in 1916 to Ang Lee's 2005 Brokeback Mountain. It closed on November 7, 2010.
  • "Remembering Angel Island", commemorating the centennial anniversary of the opening of the immigration station in California, July 16, 2010 – January 31, 2012. Dreams Deferred: Artists Respond to Immigration, December 10, 2010 – December 18, 2011. This exhibition showcased local artists exploring the tensions, repercussions, hopes, and dreams of immigrant communities in the face of new immigration legislation, through a broad spectrum of art including street art, graffiti art, sculptures, painting and multimedia installations. Artists included: Augustine Kofie, Cache, Eriberto Oriol, Ernesto Yerena Montejano, Eyeone, K. Lovich, Jesus Barraza of Dignidad Rebelde, Joel “rage.one” Garci, John Carlos De Luna, LeHumanBeing, Oscar Magallanes, Patrick Martinez, Sand One, Shepard Fairey, Shark Toof, O.G. Slick, Swank, and Tempt.Breaking Ground: Chinese American Architects in Los Angeles, January 19, 2012 – June 3, 2012. Part of Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A., 1945-1980, this exhibition showcased the achievements of four pioneering Chinese American architects whose contributions were critical to the development of Los Angeles’ urban and visual landscape between 1945 and 1980. The exhibit focused on the lives and work of Eugene Kinn Choy, Gilbert L. Leong, Helen Liu Fong, and Gin D. Wong, FAIA, four architects who played pivotal roles in the development of Mid-Century Modern and Googie Architecture movements, unique to California's Post-War architectural renaissance. LA Heat: Taste Changing Condiments, March 13-July 12, 2014. This art exhibition explored the impact of Sriracha and Tapatio in Los Angeles. The exhibit included a curated selection of artwork from artists of diverse backgrounds passionate and reflective about notions of identity, community, and foodways. Participating artists included: Edith Beaucage, Erik Benjamins, Audrey Chan, Ching Ching Cheng, The Chung!!, Chris Christion, Clayton Brothers, Eye One, Gajin Fujita, Daniel Gonzalez, Pato Hebert,, Phung Huynh, Tomo Isoyama, Nery Gabriel Lemus, Sandra Low, Trinh Mai, Patrick Martinez, Michael Massenburg, Kwanchai Moriya, Jose Ramirez, Yoshie Sakai, Jose Sarinana, Sand One, Shark Toof, Sket, Slick, Henry Taylor, Werc.

Events

Chinese New Year Celebration

During the Chinese New Year celebration each year, a Lantern Festival is held at the museum, featuring live entertainment, including lion dancers, acrobatics, musical, Chinese knotting, and dance performances. "Long Story Short", a documentary on actress Jodi Long's family, was shown at the 8th Annual festival which was held on February 7, 2009. The 2013 Lantern Festival was held Saturday, March 2, 2013, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Historymakers Awards

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." A 2009 honoree was Lisa Lu, Chinese-American actress and documentary producer for excellence in film and entertainment.
No.DateVisionaryLifetime AchievementArts & EntertainmentIndividualCorporateJustice & LeadershipCommunity & GivingPresident
1
22.10.1997Charles WooHon. March Fong Eu
1
22.10.1997Peter WooHon. Matthew Fong
1
22.10.1997J. Paul Getty TrustLarry Wong
2
06.10.1998Dan Louie Jr., Ph.D.Bessie LooCathay BankSouthern California Chinese Lawyers Association
2
06.10.1998Dan Louie Jr., Ph.D.Bessie LooIris ChangChinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
3
11.09.1999Albert QuonMichelle KwanCharles SieFriends of the Chinatown Library
4
17.11.2000You Chung HongJoan ChenGareth ChangChinese Historical Society of Southern CaliforniaDeborah Ching
5
09.12.2001Billy LewNancy KwanHon. Ronald S.W. Lew
5
09.12.2001Billy LewTyrus WongHon. Ronald S.W. Lew
6
09.11.2002Gerald JannSteven ChuHon. Delbert WongDolores Wong
6
09.11.2002Gerald JannBing LiuHon. Delbert WongDolores Wong
6
09.11.2002Gerald JannCaroline HsuHon. Delbert WongDolores Wong
7
21.09.2003Munson A. Kwok, Ph.D.Jackie ChanDominic NgGilbert CedilloDr. Annie Chin Siu
7
21.09.2003Munson A. Kwok, Ph.D.Jackie ChanPeter Paanakker EstateGilbert CedilloDr. Annie Chin Siu
7
21.09.2003Munson A. Kwok, Ph.D.Jackie ChanPeter Paanakker EstateHenry C. Lee, Ph.D.Dr. Annie Chin Siu
7
21.09.2003Munson A. Kwok, Ph.D.Jackie ChanLisa SeeHenry C. Lee, Ph.D.Dr. Annie Chin Siu
8
10.09.2004Leroy & Carol BacaWilbur WooAntonio Villaraigosa
8
10.09.2004Leroy & Carol BacaWilbur WooDebra W. Yang
9
10.09.2005Joseph and Betty WongWilliam Chun-HoonAndrew and Peggy CherngKenjohn WangLucille Roybal-Allard
No.DateVisionaryLifetime AchievementArts & EntertainmentIndividualCorporateJustice & LeadershipCommunity & GivingPresident
10
10.09.2006Robert and Edith JungTim DangAssy. Judy ChuRev. Dr. Hoover Wong
10
10.09.2006Robert and Edith JungC.Y. LeeAssy. Judy ChuRev. Dr. Hoover Wong
11
09.09.2007Lai Y. Lillian Lee JangSouthern California Council of Chinese SchoolSouthern California EdisonJohn Chiang
11
09.09.2007Lai Y. Lillian Lee JangSouthern California Council of Chinese SchoolSouthern California EdisonStewart Kwoh, Esq.
12
07.09.2008Arthur DongLisa LingUnion Bank of CaliforniaJim Tsai
12
07.09.2008Arthur DongLisa LingUnion Bank of CaliforniaPacific Alliance Medical Center, Inc.
13
20.09.2009Jean Bruce PooleLisa LuMatthew LinPaul Tea
14
19.09.2010Kong Chow Benevolent AssociationDr. S.Y. WongBlake ChowAvery DennisonDr. Tim Siu
15
22.09.2011Gin D. Wong, FAIAHwei Chih Cheng SunChinese-American Engineers and Scientists Association of Southern CaliforniaThe Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles
16
27.09.2012Latham & Watkins, LLPChinese American Citizens AllianceTom McKernan & The Automobile Club of Southern CaliforniaCarol LiuCarl K. Moy, MD
17
12.09.2013Kin HuiCharles W. WongDavid Henry HwangMichael F. EngCenter for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment
18
25.09.2014Ming HsiehDavid Fon LeeKenneth Chin-Ming LoRose Hills Memorial Park & MortuaryDr. James Bok Wong and Betty KC YeowBoard of Directors, Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
19
17.09.2015Greg PenskeJeffrey G. ChanPaula MadisonEnterprise Rent-A-CarDr. Ina Chan Un Chan, BBS
No.DateVisionaryLifetime AchievementArts & EntertainmentIndividualCorporateJustice & LeadershipCommunity & GivingPresident
20
15.09.2016Susanna & Evans LamBill ImadaFresh Off the BoatGang DingKent WongEsther Woo Jan
21
14.09.2017Assy. Ed ChauDunson K. ChengMilton QuonNissan North America Inc.T.G. Wing Chow, M.D.Leo Chu
22
13.09.2018Winston and Joanne YoungDr. Kang L. WangHong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San FranciscoLos Angeles Chinatown CorporationHong Kong Schools Alumni Federation Scholarship Foundation
23
19.09.2019Elizabeth YangSuellen ChengMorning Light FoundationLinda Liu SunLinda MoyDoré Hall Wong
24
20.10.2020Judge Dolly GeeHelen ZiaMei Wah LauLos Angeles TimesHilda SolisJim Jang
24
20.10.2020Judge Dolly GeeHelen ZiaAsian American Journalists Association–LA ChapterLos Angeles TimesRenee Tajima-PeñaJim Jang

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