A Year in Review: Take a lookback at 2024!
As we take a look back at 2024, the Chinese Canadian Museum has made significant progress with key accomplishments — working in collaboration with community partners including federal, provincial and municipal governments, academia, historical and cultural organizations, community collaborators including groups in Chinatowns, and individuals who have offered their experience and expertise.
This has been a year that has seen the museum become empowered collectively with a common vision to spark learning and understanding of Chinese Canadian experiences, contributions, and heritage.
Let’s journey together through a wonderful year of growth at the museum.
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January 2024
Roundtable with Minister Virani - The Hon. Arif Virani, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, joined other Asian Canadian leaders at the museum for a roundtable discussion on combatting anti-Asian hate and raising awareness of the challenges faced by Asian communities across Canada.
Golden Ticket Campaign - In anticipation of Lunar New Year, the museum launched the Golden Ticket campaign, welcoming visitors with a fortune cookie and a chance to find a lucky golden ticket inside. Multiple visitors won a special prize during the campaign, including two-day rail journeys, flight and stay in Victoria, and different dining experiences.
February 2024
Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade - For the first time since opening at the Wing Sang Building, the museum participated in the annual Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade. Over the LNY weekend, the museum also launched and hosted special programming and events, as well as additional guided tours — bringing in thousands of visitors during the month.
Explored Clan Societies for Family Day - In expanding outreach through Chinatown, the museum highlighted Family Day by holding guided tours for Yue Shan Society and Mah Society of Canada, led by directors of each group.
Fete Chinoise Gala - The museum was a charitable partner for Fete Chinoise’s Vancouver Signature Lunar New Year Event, held for the first time in Vancouver. The museum showcased educational material and artefacts, including the precious dragon head dating back to the 1930s-1940s. Displayed in the lobby at Shangri-La Hotel for this event, the dragon head was once used for dragon dances by the Vancouver Chinese Masonic (Freemasons) Athletic Club.
March 2024
U.S. Ambassador Visit - The museum welcomed U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David L. Cohen, and U.S. Consul General, Jim DeHart, for a visit and a tour of our three exhibitions.
April 2024
Tourism Challenge - The museum participated in the annual tourism challenge — along with others in the tourism and hospitality sector — welcoming more than 7,000 visitors over six weeks through this initiative.
White House Senior Liaison Visit - During an event held on the museum’s rooftop, Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and the first White House Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, welcomed guests and visitors to the space, and spoke on the important contributions of Chinese Canadians, Asian Canadians, and Asian Americans in our respective countries.
May 2024
Heritage BC Award - The museum’s feature exhibition “The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act” curated by Catherine Clement, received the Heritage BC Canada’s Outstanding Award in the Education, Communications, & Awareness category.
“The Paper Trail” Regional Talk Series - From Victoria, B.C. to St. John's, Newfoundland, the museum collaborated with different institutions and community partners to offer "The Paper Trail to the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act" programs across Canada in recognition of Asian Heritage Month!
June 2024
Film Award — Shown on the third floor landing, the museum’s film "Everlasting" was given the Documentary Organization of Canada Northwest Award for Best Documentary at the Vancouver Film Festival.
Ann Hui Visit - The museum received a very special visit at the museum from iconic filmmaker Ann Hui. With a career spanning five decades, she is considered one of the most renowned filmmakers in the world. Along with her team, Ann spent time touring our exhibitions and watching The Paper Trail exhibition films.
July 2024
One-Year Celebration — The Chinese Canadian Museum celebrated the one-year milestone of its grand opening in Vancouver Chinatown while also commemorating the anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act — the subject of our museum’s current feature exhibition. The day was highlighted by a musical performance on the rooftop along with multiple activations for visitors throughout the museum.
Spark Community Dinner — The museum’s annual Spark Community Dinner at Floata Seafood Restaurant welcomed about 800 guests from all sectors of the community, industry, and government, on a night filled with festivities, inspiration, and community spirit. The evening raised more than $100,0000 in donations.
“Odysseys and Migration” closes - The museum’s inaugural introductory galley exhibition closed at the end of the month — as it prepared to become a travelling exhibition, as supported by the Museum Assistance Program.
August 2024
Renovations Begin - Significant enhancements to the museum’s existing gallery and public space began, with most of the work done behind-the-scenes, and operations continuing as normal. The work ensures that as much building space is utilized for gallery and public use, while upgrades include a new gallery space, expanded lobby, new education centre, street-accessible retail space, additional washrooms, and revamped rooftop garden. The seismic capacity of the building will also be upgraded to protect this heritage landmark.
September 2024
Federal Government Visit - The museum was honoured to host the Right Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, as he joined our Board Chair Grace Wong and CEO Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee on a tour of our exhibitions highlighting Chinese Canadian stories and experiences.
New Exhibition Opening - A brand new exhibition was launched inside the Poy Family Gallery, as “Reshaping Collections: Where History Meets Art” features unique art creations by six diverse Chinese Canadian artists from across the country.
October 2024
Wallpaper Design Award - The museum’s beautiful Lunar New Year 2024 banner and flag designs byMax Harvey and PianPian He was shortlisted for the Wallpaper Design Award 2024 in China.
Exhibition Opening in Nanaimo - The museum’s award-winning exhibition, “A Seat at the Table”, formerly displayed at the Hon Hsing Building, officially opened in Nanaimo as a travelling exhibition.
Victoria Transition - The Fan Tan Alley temporary exhibition space in Victoria (operated and supported by CCMSBC since February 2022) transitioned to a permanent museum named Victoria Chinatown Museum and will be operated by the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society.
November 2024
Giving Hearts Award 2024 - Grace Wong, the museum’s Board Chair, received the National Philanthropy Day's Giving Hearts Award 2024 for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser.
Governor General’s History Award - The Chinese Canadian Museum won the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums: History Alive!, Canada’s most prestigious history museum award.
New Exhibition Announced - Ahead of Remembrance Day, the museum announced plans for a new exhibition to be opened in 2025. The exhibition is developed in collaboration with the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, to honour the dedication and sacrifices of Chinese Canadian war veterans from the First World War and Second World War.
December 2024
New Lobby Opening - The museum's new admissions lobby will be officially opening by the end of the month, featuring expanded and accessible space for guests, along with more exposure of the existing brick element as part of the initial building.
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Looking ahead to 2025
Expect more updates on permanent and rotating exhibitions, special events, school programs, and proactive experiences as we look to create physical and digital engagement opportunities for the community.
As the museum builds on the momentum of its first full year of operation, we can’t wait to share with our visitors and supporters what we have in store for 2025 — and the ongoing success and opportunities that await.