(NewMediaWire) – January 23, 2021 – Burbank, CA – The Martial Arts History Museum has been keeping martial arts history alive for the past 21 years. It has been a wonderful place for kids to learn about Asian culture, history, and tradition related to the martial arts. For the city of Burbank, it has become a “must-see” location as travelers from all over the globe make sure to put visiting the museum on their “bucket list.” The museum is thrilled to announce they have reached over $21,000 of their initial $25,000 goal to keep the museum operational during this COVID shutdown.
The Martial Arts History Museum, the first of its kind globally, has been part of the Burbank community for over a decade. Relocating from the city of Santa Clarita, the Martial Arts History Museum has been a fun and educational facility that many of the homeschooled groups have taken advantage of. From thousands of both the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts, plus hundreds of the nearby senior groups, the museum has secured itself as a place in Burbank history.
“Being there for the community, I feel, is a significant thing,” says museum founder and president Michael Matsuda. “The city of Burbank, rich in motion picture studios including Disney, Nickelodeon, the Burbank Studios, Warner Bros., the Cartoon Network, Dreamworks, and many more, yet, we don’t have a real, visiting museum for our children. The Martial Arts History Museum provides that. A great place to learn about diverse cultures and traditions.”
The museum conducts a variety of unique events including their work with “Make A Wish Foundation, the “Save the Children” organization, the Red Cross organization, blood drives, free visits for senior citizen groups and so much more. “Getting a grant for any of things we do is not an easy task. The larger museums know people, they are part of the system, we are not. They also get their facilities for only a $1 lease a year, we have pay from our fundraising dollars for everything. So, it has been an uphill battle.”
Established in 1999, the museum is not just about seeing pictures of people punching and kicking, it’s more about Asian culture and history. It’s about how the martial arts played a vital role in the countries of Japan, China, Korea, and more. It’s about Asian music, opera, artistry, and the positive influence Asian culture has had on American culture. Kung Fu Panda, Avatar: The Last Airbender, the Matrix, and so many of our movies have incorporated Asian artistry.
“We need around $4,000 to get us over the top and reach our goal. However, let me add. If you have benefitted from the martial arts in any way? If the martial arts helped you against bullies as school, if it gave you confidence, if it helped you in business, if it helped you to become a star or stuntman or it gave you a sense of hope and well-being, then what better way to give back to the martial arts by making a generous donation to the Martial Arts History Museum,” adds Matsuda.
To donate, visit the following:
https://www.facebook.com/donate/397678681575563/
The Martial Arts History Museum is located at 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506. (818) 355-1109.
