Donating Your Artifacts
to the National Museum

Artifact Donation Moratorium

The Japanese American National Museum collects, documents, and preserves objects and stories that help illustrate the Japanese American experience. Our permanent collection is extremely diverse and includes art, three-dimensional artifacts, documents, personal papers, life histories, photographs, and films that were created by, owned, primarily used by, or that illustrate the Japanese American experience from the mid-1800s to the present.

The current struggles of the economy have had a longer than expected impact on the staffing and general operations of the Museum. Simultaneously, the Japanese American National Museum has constantly strived to provide public access to the Museum’s permanent collection. To ensure that such access will be available in the future, it has become necessary to institute a temporary moratorium on all incoming collections. Effective immediately, the National Museum will not be accepting any new artifact donations until January 1, 2014. During this temporary moratorium, Collections Management will be developing its infrastructure and fee schedules accordingly to ensure its long-term viability. Just as businesses undergo routine and necessary changes to maintain their core functions, the Museum must also adapt to the current economic landscape to provide for the future preservation of our permanent collection and archives.

The Museum will continue to accept Collection Donation Information Forms. These forms will be kept on file and reviewed annually to ensure that the Museum is aware of the collections and stories that exist within our communities. It will also provide researchers and curators the appropriate contact in the event that any of these collections are desired for future exhibitions or programs. Download the form: Donation Information Form (PDF) >>

Requests to donate Buddhist artifacts to the Museum’s Buddhist Churches of America Collection should contact the following organization:

BCA Archives—Historic Preservation Committee
archives@nishihongwanji-la.org

Almost all of the objects in the permanent collection have entered the collection through the generosity of individuals and communities, making the collection one that truly reflects the diverse experiences of Americans of Japanese ancestry. This temporary moratorium will help us to establish manageable access services and continue to grow our permanent collection in a sustainable manner for future generations. Thank you for your understanding.

For information on ways to help support the collection, including membership and other giving opportunities with the Japanese American National Museum, please call Member and Donor Services at 213.830.5646 or visit: janmstore.com/contributions.html

—Collections Management and Access