He wanted to prioritize the well-being of the staff and the community they serve, recognizing that a healthy internal environment is essential for fulfilling the museum’s mission effectively,” McLean explains.
Under Barraquiel Tan’s leadership, the Wing Luke Museum has implemented a range of wellness initiatives, including mindfulness practices, mental health resources, and team-building exercises. These efforts have not only improved the working environment for staff members but have also translated into a more engaging and enriching experience for visitors. By prioritizing the mental, emotional, and physical health of everyone involved, the museum has been able to create a space that fosters connection, understanding, and healing.
One of the museum’s signature programs, the Community-Led Exhibitions initiative, exemplifies this commitment to wellness and community engagement. Through this program, local residents are invited to share their stories, artifacts, and experiences, which are then curated into exhibitions that reflect the diverse narratives of the community. By empowering individuals to participate in the creation and presentation of exhibitions, the museum not only amplifies marginalized voices but also creates a sense of ownership and pride among community members.
In addition to showcasing the stories of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, the Wing Luke Museum also serves as a platform for dialogue and education around issues of social justice, equity, and inclusion. Through partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and artists, the museum offers a range of programs, workshops, and events that challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and promote cross-cultural understanding.
As the cultural landscape of the United States continues to evolve, institutions like the Wing Luke Museum play a crucial role in preserving and amplifying the voices of historically marginalized communities. By centering wellness, community engagement, and inclusivity in their work, these organizations not only enrich the cultural fabric of the nation but also contribute to a more equitable and compassionate society.
Doan Diane Hoang Dy’s journey from self-doubt to empowerment is just one example of the transformative power of cultural institutions like the Wing Luke Museum. Through storytelling, education, and community collaboration, these organizations have the potential to heal wounds, bridge divides, and inspire change. As we celebrate America’s cultural treasures, let us remember the profound impact they have on shaping our collective identity and fostering a more inclusive and interconnected world. The Wing Luke Museum in Seattle has undergone significant changes in recent years, thanks to the leadership of Joël Barraquiel Tan. Tan, who became the executive director, has brought a fresh perspective to the museum’s operations, focusing on stability and long-term success rather than just maintaining the status quo. With grants from the Ford Foundation and MacKenzie Scott, Tan was able to increase staff salaries, implement a wellness index, and revise office policies to prioritize wellness and work-life balance.
Tan’s approach to the museum’s mission is centered around the concept of “art and culture as apothecary,” emphasizing the healing power of storytelling and community engagement. This focus on wellness and storytelling represents a significant shift from the museum’s origins as a volunteer-led organization established in 1967 to commemorate the life of Wing Chong Luke, the first Asian American elected to public office in King County.
Over the years, the museum has evolved from a small storefront featuring folk art and crafts to a pan-Asian art and history museum that aims to make the lives of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders visible and meaningful. Under the leadership of Ron Chew in 1991, the museum adopted a community-based exhibition model that prioritized the stories of the Asian Pacific American community.
One of the museum’s notable exhibitions during Chew’s tenure was “Executive Order 9066: 50 Years Before and 50 Years After,” which highlighted the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. This exhibition, developed in collaboration with the Japanese American community, exemplified the museum’s commitment to engaging with and preserving the stories of marginalized communities.
Today, the Wing Luke Museum continues to uphold its mission of promoting diversity, inclusion, and social justice through art and culture. With Joël Barraquiel Tan at the helm, the museum is poised to build on its legacy while embracing a new era of innovation and community engagement.
From her time as the former director of exhibitions at the Wing Luke Museum, Jessica Rubenacker reflects on the impact of the groundbreaking exhibition, Executive Order 9066, which shed light on the Japanese-American community’s story in their own terms. Rubenacker notes that this exhibition’s success led to the continued use of the community advisory committee (CAC) process for all subsequent exhibitions at the museum.
During her tenure, Rubenacker witnessed the evolution of the CAC model, which involved community members in every major step of creating an exhibition. Cassie Chinn, who started as a volunteer intern at the museum and later became deputy director, played a key role in adapting this community-led approach to exhibition development. Chinn emphasized the importance of integrating community members into the exhibition process, from development to design to installation.
The core CAC typically consisted of 10 to 15 individuals who collaborated on developing the main messages, themes, and content of the exhibitions. Chinn’s philosophy behind the CAC model was to include a diverse group of individuals, including scholars, artists, and community members with lived experiences, to ensure a comprehensive representation of the community’s stories.
Over the years, the Wing Luke Museum showcased a variety of exhibitions that delved into different aspects of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) experience. From One Song, Many Voices: The Asian Pacific American Experience to Honoring Our Journey, the museum explored themes of immigration, discrimination, and cultural diversity within the AAPI community.
Notable exhibitions such as Twenty Years After the Fall of Saigon: The Vietnamese American Story, Out of Focus: Media Stereotypes of Asian Pacific Americans, and Women and Violence highlighted the diverse histories and experiences of AAPI individuals and groups. These exhibitions aimed to challenge stereotypes and shed light on lesser-known stories within the community.
However, the museum’s commitment to telling these important narratives was not without its challenges. The controversy surrounding the exhibition Confronting Hate Together revealed the complexities of addressing sensitive topics and navigating the tensions between different communities. The fallout from this exhibition led to the departure of the museum’s executive director, Joël Barraquiel Tan, underscoring the delicate balance of storytelling and community engagement.
For Rubenacker and others in the AAPI community, the need for these new histories is essential to address the wounds of erasure and exclusion. Growing up with a limited understanding of her own heritage, Rubenacker emphasizes the importance of education and representation in shaping a more inclusive narrative of American history.
As the Wing Luke Museum continues to evolve and engage with its communities, the CAC model remains a cornerstone of its exhibition development process, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and honored in the telling of shared histories. Through collaboration and dialogue, the museum strives to create a space where all stories can be told and embraced. The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle serves as a crucial repository for the stories and histories of marginalized communities. In a society where narratives of immigrants and people of color are often erased or distorted, the museum stands as a beacon of cultural preservation and education.
The museum’s mission is to provide a platform for these untold stories to be recorded, preserved, and shared with future generations. As noted by Han Eckelberg, a part-time education guide at the museum, the Wing Luke is a place where individuals can learn more about their own identities and histories. Through guided tours of the neighborhood, visitors are able to connect with the rich cultural tapestry of the Chinatown-International District (C-ID) and gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of Asian American communities.
One of the museum’s key initiatives is its series of neighborhood tours, including a Redlining Tour, Immigration and Naturalization Services building tour, Japanese American Remembrance tour, and food walks. These tours not only serve as educational experiences but also contribute to the economic vitality of the neighborhood by drawing business to local restaurants and businesses.
The intersection of art, culture, and commerce at the museum challenges traditional notions of capitalism within the nonprofit sector. By viewing art and culture as essential components of wellness – spiritual, social, environmental, and economic – the museum creates a space where diverse narratives can be celebrated and shared.
Kamahanahokulani Farrar, the interim executive director of the museum, emphasizes the importance of making art accessible to all. Drawing parallels to the concept of receiving a prescription for organic food, Farrar asserts that art belongs to everyone and should be viewed as a vital component of public health and human connection.
The museum’s commitment to amplifying diverse voices and stories reflects a broader vision of unity and solidarity across communities. By recognizing the interconnectedness of different cultural experiences, the Wing Luke Museum invites visitors to engage with a more nuanced understanding of American history and identity.
In a country marked by complex social dynamics and historical injustices, the Wing Luke Museum serves as a reminder that every individual’s story contributes to the larger American narrative. By listening to and honoring these stories, we can move towards a more inclusive and just society where all voices are valued and heard. The rise of technology in the 21st century has transformed the way we live, work, and communicate. From smartphones to smart homes, artificial intelligence to virtual reality, the advancements in technology have been nothing short of revolutionary. One area in which technology has had a profound impact is in the world of business.
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