California Legislature approves $1 million for Armenian American Museum in Glendale

Today, the California Legislature passed the 2016 – 2017 fiscal year Budget which included $1 Million to build the Armenian American Museum in Glendale, California and $500,000 to support the Lark Musical Society.

$1 Million to Build the Armenian American Museum in Glendale, California

“I am proud to have secured $1 million for the construction of the Armenian Museum,” stated Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. “The Armenian journey to California—from genocide to prosperity—is a critical thread in the fabric of our State.  An Armenian museum recognizing our past would be an excellent addition to our State’s wealth of cultural and historical centers.”

The mission of the Armenian American Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience.   The Museum will be a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice.

The museum is patterned after Los Angeles County museums that combine the lessons and experiences of a specific group of residents with the vision of preventing discrimination and improving collaboration between all citizens of the County.

The Armenian American Museum would:

• Serve as a bridge to foster understanding between the multitude of cultures residing in the greater Los Angeles and surrounding areas
• Engage diverse audiences, particularly youth, through enthralling exhibitions, entertaining public programs, and captivating collections
• Provide tools and resources to nurture cultural leadership and promote knowledge, sharing, and collaboration
• Provide an impactful and immersive experience, telling the history of Armenia and the story of Armenians living in America
• Preserve, share, and promote Armenian culture and collective heritage

$500,000 for the LARK Musical Society

The LARK Musical Society is a collective of Armenian musicians with a passion for great classical and folk music. Musicianship is the cornerstone of LARK’s activities, however the last twenty years the Society has expanded to become a hub for artists practicing in all mediums.

To date, LARK has organized over 300 concert events, published 30 plus scholarly treatises and musical anthologies, produced 5 compact discs, hosted numerous symposia and lectures, garnered commendations and awards on the state, national, and international level, and educated hundreds of students in a wide range of musical studies.

The funding will help the Society expand and continue to provide resources to the community.