About MOA
History & Organization
Overview
Vancouver's Museum of Anthropology was founded in 1949 in the basement of the Main Library at the University of British Columbia. Today, Canada's largest teaching museum is located in a spectacular building overlooking mountains and sea - its collections, exhibitions and programs renowned for giving access and insight into the cultures of indigenous peoples around the world.
The Museum houses some 36,000 ethnographic objects and 535,000 archaeological objects, many of which originate from the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Massive totem poles, carved boxes, bowls, and feast dishes are featured in the Museum's Great Hall, while smaller (but no less magnificent) pieces in gold, silver, argillite, wood, ceramic, and other materials are exhibited elsewhere in the galleries.
MOA's Multiversity Galleries provide public access to more than 10,000 objects from around the world, and The Audain Gallery, MOA's new 5,800 sq ft temporary exhibition hall, showcases world-class travelling exhibits as well as those developed in-house.
For a plan of the Museum as whole, please click here: MOA Floorplan
MOA's Multiversity Galleries (MVG) provide public access to more than 10,000 objects from around the world. For a plan of these Galleries, please click here: Multiversity Galleries Floorplan
Details
Since 1927, the University of British Columbia (UBC) has collected ethnographic material. In 1947, this material was brought together to form the founding collections of the new Museum of Anthropology, which opened in the basement of UBC's main library in 1949. In its early years, MOA was directed by Dr. Harry Hawthorn, the first anthropologist appointed to the University faculty. His wife, Dr. Audrey Hawthorn, served as the first curator. MOA's collections remained in the library until 1976, when they were moved to their current location.
Construction of a new museum was made possible by a grant from the Government of Canada, marking the 1971 centennial of B.C.'s entry into Confederation. UBC provided matching funds to complete installations and to organize the academic components of the Museum. Walter and Marianne Koerner's 1975 gift of their extensive Northwest Coast First Nations art collection to MOA was instrumental in gaining these financial commitments. From 1974 until 1997, Dr. Michael M. Ames served as Museum director. Dr. Ruth Phillips held the position from 1997-2002, after which time Dr. Michael Ames served as Acting Director for two years. Dr. Anthony Shelton, MOA's current Director, assumed the position in August 2004.
The 1976 building was designed by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, who took his inspiration from traditional northern Northwest Coast post-and-beam style architecture. The Museum's soaring glass walls and spectacular setting - on the cliffs of Point Grey overlooking mountains and sea - are uniquely suited to the Museum's extraordinary collection of massive Northwest Coast totem poles, carved boxes, bowls and feast dishes, as well as diverse objects from around the world.
The Museum's collection of 35,000 objects includes contemporary and traditional arts from all continents, including significant collections from East and South Asia, the South Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and Europe. The geographical range of collections is accessible in the Visible Storage galleries, where 13,000 objects and their records can be explored. Well-known for its Northwest Coast collections, especially the monumental sculptures exhibited in the Great Hall, adjacent galleries also highlight Northwest Coast First Nations artists. European ceramics are featured in a separate gallery.
As the largest teaching museum in Canada, MOA serves a vital educational function. Inter-disciplinary courses are offered at MOA in museum studies, anthropology, archaeology, fine arts, and conservation, all of which prepare students to enter and effectively contribute to the work of museums around the world. As part of their training, students may work as interns or Museum Assistants, enabling them to attain hands-on experience in such areas as collections management, public programming, and conservation.
In addition to long-term and special exhibitions, MOA offers over 100 public programs annually, including guided tours, school programs, theatrical and musical performances, lectures, artist residencies, and workshops. Every year, more than 170,000 students, researchers, schoolchildren, special delegations, and tourists visit and enjoy the site. Year after year, MOA is selected as one of the world's best-loved museums on the basis of its spectacular setting, stunning displays, and active programming. In 1989, the Canadian Tourism Commission voted MOA "Tourist Attraction of the Year - Canada" in recognition of its exceptional popularity with local and international audiences.
MOA currently has a staff of 26 permanent employees, as well as a number of student interns appointed to temporary training positions. More than 65 Volunteer Associates and Shop Volunteers provide services in all areas of the Museum, both publicly and behind-the-scenes.
