Commissioners convene 150+ community leaders and experts to gather public input on what a national museum dedicated to Asian Pacific American history and culture could look like.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last month, the bipartisan Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture hosted convenings in Northern California, and New Orleans, Louisiana. These events–part of a national listening tour that began last month in Princeton, New Jersey–brought together hundreds of regional leaders as the Commission continues to assess the feasibility of establishing the first national museum dedicated to preserving Asian Pacific American history and culture.
On November 17, the Commission held a convening in San Francisco co-hosted by the Chinatown Media & Arts Collaborative, Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. The event was emceed by Dion Lim, Emmy award-winning journalist and author, and featured updates from Commission Co-Chair Dr. Jay Xu and the Honorable Michelle Steel. Executive Director Krystal Kaʻai Hetherington, along with the Commissioners, also addressed audience questions on community priorities and the Commission’s ongoing initiatives. More than 150 attendees from throughout Northern California, including the East Bay, South Bay, Peninsula, and Sacramento, gathered to provide public comment.
The following day, the Commission hosted an in-depth roundtable event with more than 25 leaders in New Orleans, Louisiana. Commission Co-Vice Chair Tina Wei Smith shared updates on behalf of the Commission, and local leaders and scholars discussed key priorities, including the preservation of endangered APA heritage sites and engagement with emerging APA populations.
Established by Congress in 2022 and publicly launched in June 2025, the Commission is currently collecting input from community members, experts, and institutions to inform its final report to the President and Congress on what a future museum could look like. Members of the public can submit written comments at any time and track updates through the Commission’s website, newsletter, and on social media at @apamuseum.
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About the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture
Established by the 117th Congress, the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture is charged with delivering to the President and Congress a comprehensive plan of action that will lay the groundwork for Congressional authorization of a museum in Washington, D.C. dedicated to honoring the achievements, progress, and lasting impact of Asian Pacific Americans. To learn more about the Commission’s work, visit nationalapamuseum.org or contact commission@nationalapamuseum.org.