The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale has issued a critical appeal for community support as it launches a $5 million fundraising campaign to ensure its survival. Unlike city-funded institutions such as the La Brea Tar Pits or the Natural History Museum, this independent museum relies entirely on public contributions to continue its mission of preserving Asian American heritage and the cross-cultural impact of martial arts.
The museum serves as an educational sanctuary, showcasing artifacts designed by a Disney artist and telling stories that might otherwise be lost. Among these are the sacrifices of the historic 442nd American Japanese military regiment and the resilience of those who preserved dignity inside Japanese Internment camps through martial arts. The museum also honors figures like Filipino Kali icon Jack Santos, who stood before an angry mob with only two sticks to protect Little Tokyo during World War II, and Benny Urquidez, a Latino man from the barrio who overcame gang influence to become a world champion.
To raise the necessary funds, the museum has launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding page as the initial step toward its incremental $5 million goal. Donations can also be made directly through the museum's website at MAmuseum.com. Every contribution supports rotating exhibits, educational outreach, and operational costs.
“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, located at 201 N. Brand Blvd, B100, Glendale, CA, 91203, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, artistry, and cultural history. By connecting Asian American heritage with the global impact of martial arts, it serves as a bridge of understanding for visitors worldwide. Without community support, these vital pieces of cultural history risk being lost forever.
