Following an 18-month closure for seismic upgrades, the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC will reopen its doors to the public on June 13th. Starting at 5pm, visitors will be welcomed to explore the revitalized and reinterpreted displays of Northwest Coast Indigenous carvings, poles, weavings and other works from the past and present within the cutting-edge seismically upgraded Great Hall.
Along with the Museum’s reopening, MOA will present two exhibitions sharing Indigenous perspectives on colonial history: To Be Seen, To Be Heard: First Nations in Public Spaces, 1900–1965 (world premiere), and in Pursuit of Venus [infected] (Western Canada premiere) by famed M?ori artist, Lisa Reihana. MOA’s reopening this summer coincides with the 75th anniversary of the Museum’s opening to the public.
“We’ve waited so long to welcome back visitors from around the world to MOA this summer,” says Susan Rowley, MOA Director. “Over the past 18 months, MOA’s Great Hall has experienced monumental changes—some visible, some not, but all for a stronger future. It has been completely rebuilt from the ground up, incorporating innovative seismic technology into its foundations while restoring architect Arthur Erickson’s original 1976 design. Importantly, the displays in the Great Hall and other other gallery spaces have been revitalized and reinterpreted, in collaboration with First Nations communities and families whose objects and belongings are housed at the Museum. The completion of the seismic upgrades ensures the preservation and safety of this cultural heritage for future generations.”
Recognized as the first museum in Canada retrofitted with base isolation technology, MOA’s seismic upgrades are designed to protect the collections in the event of a major earthquake. Twenty-five base isolators have been installed under each of the Great Hall’s concrete columns to absorb the impact of seismic activity, separating the Great Hall from the ground and from the adjoining museum structure. Additionally, upgrades to the lighting, skylights, roofing, window coverings, carpeting and fire protection will further protect the collection.
MOA’s reopening weekend will include a host of special events and activities. The Museum re-opens its doors at 5pm on Thursday, June 13 with free admission all evening. Friday, June 14 coincides with the 100th anniversary of architect Arthur Erickson’s birth, and MOA is celebrating with half-priced admission and special programming to mark the occasion. On Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16, visitors will enjoy half-priced admission, as well as dance and musical performances, hands-on workshops, staff tours and family-friendly activities.
The reopening weekend’s activities will kick off a year of special programming to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Museum to the public in the UBC Main Library, under the direction of Harry and Audrey Hawthorn in 1949.
For more information about the reopening weekend’s line-up of activities and exhibition details visit moa.ubc.ca