The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, is urgently seeking public support to ensure its survival, launching a critical $5 million campaign to continue its mission of preserving Asian American heritage and the global impact of martial arts. In a heartfelt appeal issued today, museum officials warn that without immediate financial assistance, the institution—a unique independent treasure—faces an uncertain future, unlike well-funded landmarks such as the La Brea Tar Pits or the Natural History Museum.
Founded as a sanctuary for stories that might otherwise be lost, the museum goes beyond displaying artifacts designed by a Disney artist; it serves as an educational haven that teaches the world about the positive contributions of the Asian American community and the profound cross-cultural impact of martial arts in the West. The museum’s exhibits include memories of the historic 442nd American Japanese military regiment, the resilience of martial arts inside Japanese Internment camps, and the heroism of Filipino Kali icon Jack Santos, who stood alone with two sticks to protect Little Tokyo during wartime tensions. Also featured is the legacy of Benny Urquidez, a young Latino man who overcame gang influence to become a world champion. These stories, officials emphasize, are a testament to the human spirit and risk being permanently silenced if the museum cannot continue.
To kickstart the fundraising effort, the museum has launched a GoFundMe crowdfunding page at https://gofund.me/e0e28705f as the initial step toward its $5 million goal. The campaign invites the public to take action before it is too late. “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.”
Donations of any size can be made via the crowdfunding page or directly to the museum at MAmuseum.com. Every contribution goes directly toward sustaining rotating exhibits, funding educational outreach, and keeping the doors open. The museum, a non-profit located at 201 N. Brand Blvd, B100, Glendale, CA, is an independent educational facility dedicated to promoting diversity, artistry, and cultural history. By connecting Asian American heritage with the global impact of martial arts, it serves as a critical bridge of understanding for visitors worldwide. As Matsuda noted, the community must act now to ensure this invaluable light keeps moving forward for generations to come.
