The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale has issued an urgent appeal for community support as it launches a $5 million campaign to secure its future. The museum, an independent non-profit, warns that without immediate financial assistance, it may be forced to close, taking with it irreplaceable exhibits on Asian American history and the cultural impact of martial arts.
While major Los Angeles institutions like the La Brea Tar Pits and the Natural History Museum benefit from city funding, the Martial Arts History Museum relies entirely on donations to survive. The museum's collection includes artifacts designed by a Disney artist and tells stories that span from the heroism of the 442nd American Japanese military regiment to the resilience of martial arts practitioners in Japanese Internment camps. It also honors figures like Filipino Kali icon Jack Santos, who protected Little Tokyo during World War II, and Benny Urquidez, a Latino champion who overcame gang influence.
“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.”
To kickstart the campaign, the museum has launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding page, aiming for an incremental $5 million goal. Donations can also be made directly through the museum's website at MAmuseum.com. Every contribution will go toward sustaining rotating exhibits, funding educational outreach, and keeping the doors open.
The museum emphasizes that its mission extends beyond martial arts; it serves as a sanctuary for stories that cannot be allowed to die. If the museum fails, it would mean losing the legacy of the 442nd regiment, the history of martial arts in internment camps, and the achievements of pioneers like Santos and Urquidez. These stories are not just exhibits but a testament to the human spirit and the contributions of the Asian American community.
As an independent educational facility, the museum connects Asian American heritage with the global impact of martial arts, serving as a critical bridge of understanding for visitors from around the world. The current campaign is a direct invitation for the community to take action before it is too late. “We owe it to the generations before us, and the children ahead of us, to ensure this invaluable light is kept moving forward,” Matsuda added.
Located at 201 N. Brand Blvd, B100, Glendale, CA, the museum remains open but faces an uncertain future without increased support. The $5 million campaign represents a lifeline for an institution that holds a unique place in preserving the cultural history of martial arts and Asian Americans in the United States.
