The Chinese Canadian Museum is getting a $5.18 million boost from the federal government.
The funding, announced Tuesday (May 23), to help with the building and space renewal at its new, permanent location at the historic Wing Sang Building at 51 East Pender St. in VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Chinatown. ItB次元官网网址檚 set to open its doors July 1.
Museum CEO Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee said the funding, which is through the economic development agency PacifiCan, will help the museum in finishing its first renovation phase and exhibition preparations.
B次元官网网址淲e are thrilled to open this summer to present historic exhibitions and significant public programs that honour the diverse Chinese Canadian communities across the country.B次元官网网址�
The renewal project is a three-phase multi-year project focused on revitalizing and upgrading the 21,000-sq.-ft. building, as well as expanding the amount of exhibition and programming space for future permanent and temporary displays.
B次元官网网址淭he buildingB次元官网网址檚 own storied connections to Chinese Canadian history will provide Canadians with meaningful insight into the incredible journeys of many Chinese Canadians and how they relate to modern-day perspectives,B次元官网网址� notes a release.
As the countryB次元官网网址檚 first Chinese Canadian Museum, it will provide a B次元官网网址渕eaningful and transformative experience for all, connecting Canadians to the diverse and eclectic stories and contributions of generations of Chinese Canadians, past and present - with an eye to the future.B次元官网网址�
The museumB次元官网网址檚 grand-opening exhibition, B次元官网网址淭he Paper Train to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act,B次元官网网址� is curated by Catherine Clement. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923, which documents the challenging times and resilience of early Chinese migrants in a B次元官网网址減eriod of excessive red tape and discrimination, as well as the legacies and lessons learned from their sacrifices.B次元官网网址�
Museum board chair Grace Wong said the $5.18 million enables them to continue building a provincial museum with a national scope that is B次元官网网址渄edicated to showcasing the history, heritage, contributions, and resilience of generations of Chinese Canadians across B.C. and Canada. We look forward to becoming a vital cultural asset that adds vitality to VancouverB次元官网网址檚 Chinatown, stimulating tourism, and fostering cultural inclusion.B次元官网网址�
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This comes on the heels of the province announced $2.2 million May 12 to revitalize Vancouver Chinatown. The funding was provided to the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation for the restoration of storefronts and historic neon signs, and lighting upgrades for Chinatown businesses, as well as infrastructure upgrades to the Chinese Cultural Centre.
Foundation chair Carol Lee said Chinatown is more than just a neighbourhood.
B次元官网网址淚t symbolizes the cityB次元官网网址檚 resilience, perseverance and pride.B次元官网网址�
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