The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at the University of British Columbia is world-renowned for its innovative practices in collaborative research, display, exhibition, publication, and public programming. MOA believes strongly in its mission to investigate, preserve and present objects and expressions of human creativity to promote understanding and respect of world culture, with special emphasis on the cultures of the First Nations and other peoples of British Columbia

MOA is not only Canada’s largest teaching museum but also one of the top visitor attractions in British Columbia. Winner of the Canadian Tourism Commission’s “Tourist Attraction of the Year – Canada” Award in 1998, MOA attracts more than 150,000 visitors each year from around the world.

Located on the cliffs of Point Grey overlooking the ocean, the Museum is housed in a spectacular award-winning concrete and glass structure designed by Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, who based his design on traditional northern Northwest Coast post and beam structures.

Over the years, private gifts have supported the development of permanent and temporary exhibits, the commissioning and acquisition of new works, research into the Museum’s collections and the communities and artists they represent, and internships and training programs for students, First Nations, and others.

The UBC Museum of Anthropology Renewal Project

The Museum successfully completed a $55 million expansion project entitled “A Partnership of Peoples” in January 2010. This project provides MOA and UBC with new laboratories, a library and archives information centre, classrooms, and an audiovisual recording studio that will enhance and expand the Museum capabilities to bring together originating communities, museum collections, and community and academic researchers.

The new space provides an introduction to the diversity of cultures found in BC and the rest of the world, in order to inspire a new generation of researchers and artists, and express UBC’s global values and international aspirations. UBC now has the most advanced and comprehensive ethnological and archaeological research facility in Canada.

New public services were also included in the Renewal Project, including a café, enlarged Museum Shop, rental spaces, and a large temporary exhibition gallery offering a completely new visitor experience.

To learn more about other MOA initiatives please contact Leslie Fields or call 604.827.3515.

For more information on the Museum of Anthropology, please click here.