USC Pacific Asia Museum, Pasadena Travel Guide

The USC Pacific Asia Museum, located in Pasadena, California, is a unique institution dedicated to furthering intercultural understanding through the arts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Housed in a historic building inspired by a Chinese imperial palace, the museum has been a center for art, culture, and learning since 1924. Grace Nicholson, a pioneering collector and entrepreneur, originally built it as her residence, galleries, and Treasure House/emporium.The museum's collection includes over 15,000 rare and representative examples of art from throughout Asia and the Pacific Islands, spanning more than 5,000 years. Prominent holdings include the Harari Collection of Japanese paintings and drawings and one of the largest collections of Japanese folk paintings outside Japan. Visitors can explore a variety of galleries showcasing the arts of Pacific Asia, Japan, South and Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, and Korea. The museum also organizes groundbreaking exhibitions, including the first North American exhibitions of contemporary Chinese art after the Cultural Revolution and one of the first exhibitions of contemporary Aboriginal art in the United States.In addition to its exhibitions, the USC Pacific Asia Museum offers a range of programs, including performances, lectures, classes, workshops, and festivals, all drawing on the arts and cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The museum also boasts a serene central courtyard with a garden, a small pool, and decorative carvings, providing a peaceful space for reflection. In 2013, the museum became part of the University of Southern California, broadening its reach and impact as a vital resource for education and cultural heritage.