The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, has launched a critical $5 million fundraising campaign to secure its future, warning that without community support, irreplaceable pieces of Asian American history and martial arts heritage could be lost forever. The museum, which relies entirely on donations, faces an uncertain future while city-funded institutions like the La Brea Tar Pits and the Natural History Museum enjoy stable financial backing.
The museum's mission extends beyond displaying artifacts designed by a Disney artist; it serves as an educational sanctuary that highlights the positive contributions of the Asian American community and the cross-cultural impact of martial arts. Among the stories at risk are those of the historic 442nd American Japanese military regiment, the resilience of martial arts in Japanese Internment camps, and the heroism of Filipino Kali icon Jack Santos, who used only two sticks to protect Little Tokyo during wartime unrest. The museum also preserves the legacy of Benny Urquidez, a Latino champion who overcame gang influence to become a world-class fighter.
"History, the internment camps, the 442nd, the heavy pressure of Asian-Hate in America - all these items are addressed in the museum through our rotating exhibits," said Michael Matsuda, museum president. "These are important, heavy facts that we now have a precious opportunity to educate others about. The martial arts serves as our connection, our common denominator across so many diverse cultures. But the simple, painful truth is that we can only continue forward with your financial support."
The museum has initiated its campaign with a GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/e0e28705f as a first step toward the $5 million goal. Donations can also be made directly through the museum's website at MAmuseum.com. The funds will support rotating exhibits, educational outreach programs, and operational costs to keep the museum open.
The museum emphasizes that allowing it to close would mean permanently silencing the sacrifices of those who came before. Keeping history alive requires active community guardianship. "We owe it to the generations before us, and the children ahead of us, to ensure this invaluable light is kept moving forward," the museum stated.
