By Bo Xiao and Louie Liu
Pasadena, Calif., April 21, 2026 — The USC Pacific Asia Museum celebrated a landmark moment this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and gala honoring a historic gift from East West Bank, signaling the beginning of a 20-year strategic partnership aimed at advancing Asian and Pacific Islander arts and culture.
The event, attended by leaders from government, business, academia, and the arts, marked the largest single donation in the museum’s history. The investment will significantly expand the museum’s exhibitions program and community outreach, reinforcing its role as a cultural gateway connecting University of Southern California, Southern California, and the global arts community.
During the ceremony, USC President Beong-Soo Kim, East West Bank Chairman and CEO Dominic Ng, and USC Museums Director Bethany Montagano jointly officiated the ribbon cutting, commemorating a partnership rooted in a shared commitment to cultural exchange and education.
“The arts have always been central to USC’s mission to enrich the human mind and spirit,” Kim said. “With East West Bank’s support, we can deepen dialogue, broaden access, and connect communities through art.”
Founded more than two decades ago, East West Bank’s art program has focused on bridging Eastern and Western cultures. The bank has supported major institutions including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Broad, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, among others.
“Art is a universal language that connects cultures, communities, and generations,” said Ng. “We are proud to support institutions like USC and its Pacific Asia Museum that share this vision.”
As part of the agreement, East West Bank will serve as the lead sponsor for all museum exhibitions over the next two decades. The partnership also includes community-focused initiatives such as free admission during Lunar New Year week and throughout Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, as well as on exhibition opening and closing weekends.
Several key spaces within the museum have been renamed in recognition of the partnership, including the East West Bank Courtyard, Galleries, and Exhibition Hall—venues designed to foster dynamic engagement between art, technology, and audiences.
Highlighting the celebration was a preview of the museum’s exhibition, Mythical Creatures: The Stories We Carry. The immersive exhibition features more than 100 objects from the museum’s collection alongside contemporary works by over 20 artists, integrating interactive media such as wraparound video and AI-driven experiences. Visitors are invited into a multisensory journey through mythology, migration, and identity, encountering figures such as dragons, cranes, and guardian spirits.
“This transformational gift allows us to amplify artists’ voices and create more inclusive, innovative exhibitions,” Montagano said. “It marks an exciting new chapter where art, research, and imagination converge.”
The evening concluded with guests exploring the newly enhanced spaces, reflecting a shared vision to expand access to art while strengthening cultural connections across communities.
