The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, has issued an urgent 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, the museum operates as an independent nonprofit, relying entirely on public donations to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Asian Americans and the global impact of martial arts.
Founded with a mission to educate the public about the positive contributions of the Asian American community, the museum houses artifacts designed by a Disney artist and features rotating exhibits that address heavy historical topics, including Japanese American internment camps, the heroic 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the rise of anti-Asian hate in America. President Michael Matsuda emphasized the museum's role as a bridge between cultures, using martial arts as a common denominator to teach diversity and resilience.
The museum's exhibits also honor figures such as Filipino Kali master Jack Santos, who famously stood alone with two sticks to protect Los Angeles's Little Tokyo during World War II, and Benny Urquidez, a Latino champion who overcame gang influence to become a world-renowned martial artist. These stories, the museum warns, are at risk of being forgotten if the institution cannot secure funding.
To kickstart the campaign, the museum has launched a GoFundMe page at https://gofund.me/e0e28705f, where supporters can contribute any amount. Donations also can be made directly through the museum's website at MAmuseum.com. All funds will go toward sustaining rotating exhibits, educational outreach programs, and operational costs.
Matsuda stressed that the museum provides a unique opportunity to educate the public about painful but important chapters of history, such as the internment camps and the 442nd regiment, while celebrating the unifying power of martial arts. “The simple, painful truth is that we can only continue forward with your financial support,” he said.
As an independent educational facility located at 201 N. Brand Blvd, B100, Glendale, CA 91203, the museum serves visitors from around the world, connecting Asian American heritage with the global impact of martial arts. The campaign represents a direct invitation for the community to become active guardians of this cultural treasure before it is too late.
