I finally made it to visit this wonderful, not to miss, gem in Vancouver. Not many artists can compete with the fantastic native art that is displayed at the MOA on 6393 NW Marine Drive. MOA resides on the traditional and unceded territory of the Musqueam people, and works by Musqueam artists welcome visitors to the site.
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Arts in Canada lists more than 100 contemporary native artists in British Columbia. Most of them are from the Haida tribes of the West Coast. Their masks, sculptures, and original paintings can be found in Vancouver, on Vancouver Island, and scattered around the whole province.
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The MOA, on the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, is the premier place to view Northwest Coast art and artifact collections. MOA initiated native carving programs in the 1950s, restoring old poles and creating new ones. Don't miss the stunning yellow cedar carving "The Raven and the First Men" by the Haida artist Bill Reid, depicting the Haida creation story.
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One of the largest collections of historical and modern art is showcased in the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver’s west end, close to the USB (University of British Columbia). The picturesque setting of this artful architectural gem has breathtaking views of mountains, water, and sky. It is important for its role in preserving and showcasing Indigenous art and culture, besides the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Center in Whistler, BC.
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More than 3,000 years ago, Indigenous peoples of the coast of British Columbia developed artistic traditions that are heralded throughout the world for their imaginative and stylistic qualities. The masks and totem poles of the Northwest Coast Aboriginal art powerfully impacted the work of major American abstract artists. It gave rise to a revival of craftsmanship on the NW Coast over the past fifty years and shaped the work of contemporary native artists.
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However, not only Canadian native artifacts are displayed here, but numerous ones from all over of the world, such as significant collections from Asia, including Chinese ceramics, calligraphy, and paintings, as well as Japanese prints, Buddhist and Hindu art, textiles, and clothing from various regions such Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Korea.
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The African collection includes masks, Yoruba thorn carvings, Makonde figures from Tanzania, Asante gold weights, weaponry from South Africa, and mortuary objects from Egypt. The museum houses a large collection of Northwest Coast First Nations art and artifacts, including works by the famous native artist Bill Reid. MOA has objects from the South Pacific, such as Micronesia, including textiles and other cultural artifacts. There is also a collection of European ceramics, which is one of the finest in Canada.
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If you want to delve into the exhibition, a good idea would be to go at least twice to the museum: One day for the Canadian exhibits and another day to see the native artifacts from other parts of the world. Due to the favorable price for a yearly ticket, a second visit is already cheaper than purchasing two tickets.
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The 75 year-old museum has permanent exhibitions of almost 50,000 works and hosts 3-4 temporary exhibitions a year. The current, larger MOA building was designed by renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson and was opened to the public in 1976.
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Scientists and nature lovers alike will adore the MOA UBC’s Botany and National Herbarium. Walk amongst stunning flowers and lush greenery, and check out the plant specimens within the facility – there are over half a million, from all around the globe. It continues to expand as researchers discover new plants. The herbarium is significant as a research facility for local and international scientists dedicated to studying plant life.
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Opening Hours and Admission
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am - 5 pm in Winter. From May 15 to October 15 open on Mondays too. The daily admission is $22, and the yearly is only $35. UBC students and staff, Indigenous people, and children under 5 years old enter for free. I took bus #48 from downtown, and then 2 stops via bus # 68, which brings visitors right to the museum.
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