What is the Armenian American Museum?
The Armenian American Museum is a landmark cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice. The mission of the museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience.
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What is the location of the museum?
The museum is being built in the heart of Southern California and will serve as an arts and cultural destination for local patrons and visitors from around the world. The City of Glendale, home to one of the largest Armenian Diaspora communities, has dedicated a premier downtown location for the historic project in Central Park. The museum will neighbor major downtown attractions including The Americana at Brand, Museum of Neon Art (MONA), and Downtown Central Library.
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How will the museum improve Central Park?
The City of Glendale is leading an $18.5 million redesign and expansion of the museum campus at Central Park. The project includes the creation of a new central lawn connecting the museum and library, an outdoor amphitheater for live performances, a children’s park with playgrounds and splash pads, and outdoor recreation amenities for the community. The city and museum will be jointly developing and coordinating outdoor programming in the future park. The museum campus promises to serve as the new heart of the city with exciting outdoor activities that will be curated for the public.
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What is the construction timeline for the project?
The museum held its historic groundbreaking in Summer 2021 and completed the first phase of construction featuring the museum parking garage and building foundation in Fall 2022. The next phase of the project is the construction of the two- level 50,820-square-foot museum superstructure. The world- class cultural and educational center is anticipated to celebrate its grand opening in 2025.
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What is the construction budget for the project?
The capital project budget for the museum is $70 million including the construction, programming, development, and administration costs. The capital project budget includes a construction estimate of $53 million for the hard costs of the museum building and parking garage as well as the soft costs of architectural, engineering, and related fees.
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How much funds have been raised for the project?
The museum has raised $45 million through generous donations, pledges, and grants in support of the capital project as of Summer 2023. The State of California has contributed $19.6 million, County of Los Angeles has contributed $1 million, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has contributed $950,000 in government grants. Naming Opportunities donors and Donor Program members have committed more than $15 million to the historic project through legacy gifts.
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What type of programming will the museum offer?
The museum will offer a wide range of public programming through the Permanent Exhibition Gallery, Temporary Exhibition Galleries, Auditorium, Learning Center, Demonstration Kitchen, and Archives Center. The museum will be home to groundbreaking exhibitions for patrons, present engaging programs for the public, connect people and communities through diverse programming, celebrate arts and culture on a global stage, provide educational opportunities for children, youth, and families, preserve heritage and history for future generations, and host memorable experiences and gatherings as an iconic events venue.
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How will the museum benefit children and youth?
The heart of the museum’s mission is children and youth. K-12 public and private school students will experience impactful exhibitions during memorable field trips with educators, children and youth will be immersed in the arts, music, and dance through the performing arts, and families will enjoy a wide range of educational and enriching activities. The museum will be a center for children and youth to connect to their roots and celebrate culture, history, and heritage. The museum will transcend generations, passing on valuable knowledge, memories, and traditions to future generations. Young people will be inspired and filled with a sense of pride as they discover and peel back the layers of their identity.
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How will the museum strengthen and collaborate with community organizations?
The museum will preserve and grow the community’s connection to its culture, history, and heritage which will provide a strong foundation of supporters who will contribute to community organizations and community life into the future. The museum’s impact on the community will have a positive ripple effect on the network of community organizations who serve the greater community. Moreover, the museum will serve as a central hub that will develop collaborative partnerships with community organizations and foster the next generation of community leaders through its educational programming and career opportunities.
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Will the museum serve diverse communities?
The museum will serve as an inclusive center that welcomes broad and diverse audiences to be part of the institution’s family of patrons. The museum will be a place to learn about the Armenian American community and learn about each other by building cross-cultural connections. The museum will offer a wide range of public programming to serve people of all ages and backgrounds. While the museum’s Permanent Exhibition will be dedicated to the Armenian American experience, the Temporary Exhibition Galleries will host exhibitions that feature diverse cultures and subject matters. The museum will host a wide array of lectures, performances, film screenings, courses, presentations, and food demonstrations that celebrate and showcase the rich diversity of Southern California.
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How will the museum serve as a bridge to Armenia and the Diaspora?
The museum will serve as a cultural and educational bridge to the Armenian homeland. The museum will collaborate with fellow museums and institutions based in Armenia with the goal of showcasing artifacts from Armenia, co-producing programs with individuals and organizations, serving as a platform for Armenian artists and thinkers, and presenting Armenia to a wider audience across the country. The museum will play a vital role in sharing the sights, sounds, and experiences of Armenia with children and youth who will be inspired to begin an exciting journey of cultural curiosity and discovery.
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How does the museum plan to educate the public on the Armenian Genocide?
The museum was founded by the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee Western USA who adopted the landmark project to honor the memory of the 1.5 million martyrs who perished in the Armenian Genocide and to help build the next centennial of the community as a message of strength, perseverance, and hope for future generations. The museum will educate the public on the Armenian Genocide, one of the darkest chapters of history, highlighting not only the crime and great loss but also the survival and perseverance of the Armenian people. The museum will also educate the public on the Armenian people’s thousands of years of vibrant history and their vast contributions to society throughout the world.
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Why is the museum worthy of financial support?
The Armenian people are a nation of builders who have built churches, schools, and community centers to serve thriving communities throughout the world including in the United States. The museum will complement the community infrastructure built in Southern California and across the country by serving as a public facing institution with national and global reach. The museum will present, showcase, and elevate stories, experiences, and contributions to a broad and diverse audience throughout the world. The museum will preserve, share, and celebrate Armenian American heritage while serving as a bridge between a multitude of communities to foster understanding and connection. Your generous contributions will support the creation of the first world class cultural and educational center of its kind in America.
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How will the museum sustain operational costs?
The museum will generate revenue to support the ongoing operations of the institution through admission fees, proceeds from the shop, parking fees generated from the parking garage, and the rental of museum spaces that will serve as a premier event venue for the public. As a non-profit organization, the center will also support the ongoing operations through its endowment funds and grants from foundations, government, and corporate partners.