Federal Government Pledges $5M to Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver
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Loading... - Morken Brandt
- 25 May 2023
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The upcoming inauguration of the Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver has been accompanied by a substantial infusion of approximately $5 million in fresh federal funding. The funding, announced by Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade and Economic Development, will serve two primary purposes: the renovation of the museum's permanent space at the Wing Sang Building in Vancouver's Chinatown, and the support of its inaugural exhibit.
Melissa Karmen Lee, the CEO of the museum, expressed her excitement, stating that half of the building is already prepared for the museum's opening in July. With the newfound funding, the remaining portion of the building can now be converted into museum space, with completion expected by 2025.
Lee further commented, "This federal funding has arrived at a crucial juncture for us, and we are feeling immensely grateful."
Minister Ng unveiled the funding during the U.S.-Canada Chinatown Cultural Preservation and Revitalization Conference, where representatives from 18 Chinatowns across North America have convened. She emphasized that endeavors like the museum and the conference play a vital role in preserving an integral part of North American history and fostering appreciation for the rich diversity within our society.
The museum's inaugural exhibition, titled "The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act," will coincide with its opening on July 1, marking the centennial of the act that effectively halted Chinese immigration. Lee expressed the museum's aspiration to attract a nationwide audience, stating, "Although we are located in Vancouver Chinatown, we consider ourselves a national museum. We aim to share the stories of individuals from all across Canada, and we warmly welcome visitors from every corner of our great nation."
The Chinatown conference, taking place in Vancouver over two days, has brought together representatives from various Canadian cities such as Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto, as well as counterparts from prominent U.S. cities including San Francisco, Philadelphia, and New York.
