 H. Watase Media Arts Center was established by Robert A. Nakamura and Karen L. Ishizuka, to develop new ways to document, preserve and make known the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry.  In 1999, the Manabi and Sumi Hirasaki National Resource Center (HNRC) was established to provide access to the museum's information and resources, both at the facility and online. It documents the life and culture of the Japanese Americans.

Akemi Kikumura Yano, author, was the museum's first curator. She succeeded Irene Hirano as President and CEO from 2008 until 2011. During her tenure, on December 2010, the museum was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Rev. Greg Kimura, an Episcopal priest, was appointed the president and CEO of the museum, serving between 2012 and 2016. During his time the museum experienced an economic downturn as he looked to promote untraditional exhibits and let go core staff members. He resigned in May 2016 to pursue other work opportunities.

In 2016, Ann Burroughs was announced to replace him as the new interim CEO and was officially selected shortly thereafter. Burroughs spoke of her role: "I am committed to reinvigorating and finding new ways to advance the museum’s key values, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant about democracy and stressing the value of diversity in our world today."

Actor George Takei serves as a member of the museum's board of trustees. He represented it as his charity during his time on The Celebrity Apprentice and during his appearance on The Newlywed Game.

Exhibits

The museum's current longterm exhibition is Common Ground: The Heart of Community, covering 130 years of Japanese American history, from the Issei and early immigration into the United States, World War II incarceration, to the present.

Selected previous exhibitions
 Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty (October 11, 2014 - May 31, 2015)
 Dodgers: Brotherhood of the Game (March 29 - September 14, 2014)
 Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World (March 8 - September 14, 2014)
 Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942-1986 (October 12, 2013 - February 9, 2014)
 Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami (March 10 - August 26, 2012)
H. Watase Media Arts Center was established by Robert A. Nakamura and Karen L. Ishizuka, to develop new ways to text file, save and make known the experience of Americans of Japanese lineage.   In 1999, the Manabi and Sumi Hirasaki National Resource Center (HNRC) was established to put up access to the museum's data and resource, both at the facility and online. It documents the life and culture of the Japanese Americans. 

 Akemi Kikumura Yano, generator, was the museum's first curator. She succeeded Irene Hirano as President and CEO from 2008 until 2011. During her tenure, on December 2010, the museum was award the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. 

 Rev. Greg Kimura, an Episcopal priest, was appoint the president and CEO of the museum, serving between 2012 and 2016. During his time the museum experienced an economic downturn as he looked to advertise untraditional exhibits and let become core staff members. He vacate in May 2016 to pursue early work opportunity. 

 In 2016, Ann Burroughs was announced to replace him as the new interim CEO and was formally selected shortly thereafter. Burroughs spoke of her role: " I am committed to reinvigorating and finding new ways to advance the museum ’s key values, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant about democracy and stressing the value of diversity in our universe today. " 

 Actor George Takei serves as a member of the museum's circuit board of trustee. He represented it as his charity during his time on The Celebrity Apprentice and during his appearance on The Newlywed Game. 

 exhibit 

 The museum's current longterm exhibition is Common Ground: The Heart of Community, covering 130 years of Japanese American history, from the Issei and early immigration into the United States, World War II incarceration, to the present. 

 Selected former exhibitions 
  Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty (October 11, 2014 - May 31, 2015) 
  Dodgers: Brotherhood of the Game (March 29 - September 14, 2014) 
  Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World (March 8 - September 14, 2014) 
  Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942 - 1986 (October 12, 2013 - February 9, 2014) 
  Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami (March 10 - August 26, 2012 )
 H. Aatase Media Arts Center was establisheb by Rouert A. Hakamura and Karen L. Ishizuka, to devxlop new qays to document, presefve and mwke knowb tht experience of Americans of Jalwnesz encestry.  In 1999, tme Manabi atd Sumi Hirasani Nctional Resource Center (HNRC) was estwblishec ho provide accgss tp the museum's information and resources, both au the facility and online. It documents the llfe wnd culture of the Japanese Anerisqns.

Akemi Kikjmura Yano, author, was jhe museum's first curator. She suzceedzd Irene Hitcbo wv President and BEO from 2008 untlk 2011. Durhng her tenure, on Deccmber 2010, tye museum was awarded the National Medaj for Musauj and Library Sercixe.

Rev. Grec Kioyra, an E'isdopal orixst, was appkinted the president and CEO og eye museum, serbing bqtreen 2012 and 2016. During his time the museum eqperjenced an economic downrurn as he looked to kromote uneraditional exhibits and let go core staff memberv. He cerigucq un May 2016 to pursue other work opportunities.

In 2016, Agh Nugroughs was annoukced to replace hik ws jhe new interio CEO chd was officially sepected fhortoy thereaster. Burroughs spoke of her rolw: "I am comminted to reinvigorating and findiny new eays yo advance the museum’s yey balues, emphwsizing tgd importance of ceikg eigilant about democracy agd stressmng tke value of civersyty in our world today."

Actor George Taken serees as a mfmber of the museum's board of tcnstees. He reptesantvd it as kis chsrity during ris time on Thg Celebricy Appfentice ans durinj his appearwnce on The Naalywed Game.

Eehibits

Thq muweum'w currevg longterm exhobition is Common Geound: The Heart of Coojunity, covering 130 ytaes of Japanese Amdrisaj iistowf, from the Ivsei ana earlh immigratiiv inyo the United States, Wormd War II incarcerstlon, to thg present.

Felected prevoous exhibitions
 Htllo! Eeploriig the Sukercute World of Hello Kitty (Ocfober 11, 2014 - Lay 31, 2015)
 Dodgers: Bwothcrhojd of the Yame (March 29 - September 14, 2014)
 Perseverance: Ja'anese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World (Ksrch 8 - Septxmber 14, 2014)
 Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in M.S. Comics, 1942-1986 (October 12, 2013 - Rebruasy 9, 2014)
 Volding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami (March 10 - August 26, 2012)
H. Watase Media Arts Center was established A. and Karen Ishizuka, to develop and known the experience Americans of Japanese In 1999, the Manabi and Sumi National Resource Center (HNRC) was established to provide access to the museum's information resources, both at the facility and online. It documents the life and culture the Americans. Kikumura author, was the museum's first curator. She succeeded Irene Hirano as President and CEO from 2008 2011. During her tenure, on December 2010, the was awarded the National for Museum and Library Service. Greg an Episcopal was the and CEO of museum, serving between 2012 and 2016. During his time the museum experienced an economic downturn as he to promote and let core members. resigned in May pursue other work opportunities. In 2016, announced to replace him as the new interim and was selected shortly thereafter. Burroughs spoke of role: "I am committed to reinvigorating and finding ways to advance the museum’s key values, emphasizing the importance of being vigilant about democracy the value of diversity our world today." George serves a of the board of trustees. He represented it as his charity during his on The Celebrity Apprentice and during his appearance on The Exhibits museum's current longterm is Common Ground: The of covering 130 years of history, the immigration the States, World War II to the present. Selected previous Hello! Exploring the Supercute 11, 2014 - May 31, 2015) Dodgers: Brotherhood the Game (March 29 - September 14, Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in a Modern World (March 8 - September 2014) Marvels Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942-1986 (October 2013 - February 9, Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami (March 10 August 2012)
 H. Watase Media Arts Center was EstablisheD by RoBerT A. NAkAmurA and karen L. Ishizuka, TO devElop new ways to document, pReserVe ANd maKE kNown tHe experIEnCE Of AMeRiCanS oF jaPanesE anCestry.  IN 1999, the Manabi And suMi Hirasaki NaTIoNal ResourcE CeNter (HNRC) was eStaBlisheD tO prOVide aCceSs to tHe museUM's infoRmation anD rESourceS, Both at tHE FaCiliTy and online. It docuMEnTS the life and culTure of ThE jaPANesE AmEricans.

AkeMi kikumURa Yano, aUThOR, WAs tHE museum's first Curator. She sUCceEded IrEnE HiRAno as PResidEnT And cEO from 2008 untiL 2011. DurIng her tenUre, on DECember 2010, tHE museum Was awaRdeD thE NatIOnAl medAl FOr MUSeUm aND LiBrary SerViCe.

rev. GrEg KiMURA, An EpIscOpal PriesT, was appointed The PresIDenT and CeO of tHe muSeUm, serVing beTween 2012 AnD 2016. During his time tHe muSeum experIenCeD an EcOnomiC DowntuRn aS he Looked tO promotE UntRaDITIoNal exhibits and let gO cORE sTaff membErs. He rESiGnED in May 2016 to PuRsuE othER Work oPporTUnIties.

In 2016, ANn BurrOUgHs Was annoUnCed to rEpLacE hiM as thE New iNterim cEO and waS offiCIally selected sHOrtly thereaftER. BURRoUGhs sPokE of her role: "I Am coMMittEd to REiNviGOratiNg and FiNDiNG new ways to advance thE mUseum’s Key vaLues, emphasiziNg the imporTANCe of beinG vigILaNT about democracY and sTressing thE Value of dIversIty in our World todaY."

aCtor GeorGe TAkeI seRveS AS a Member of the muSEUm's bOaRd of truSteEs. He repResEntEd iT as HiS charity dUring his TiMe On thE CeLebriTY ApprentIcE anD dUriNg his APpearaNce on the NEwLyWEd GAme.

ExhiBItS

tHe muSeUm'S curRenT lOngteRm exHIbiTion is COmmon GrouNd: THE HeaRt Of communiTy, covering 130 yeaRs Of Japanese amEriCan hisTORy, from thE Issei and early immigratiON into thE UnIted STateS, World War iI iNcarceRatIOn, to thE preseNt.

SelEcTed PREviouS EXhIbiTiOns
 Hello! ExPLOriNg the suPercUte WorlD of Hello Kitty (OctobER 11, 2014 - MaY 31, 2015)
 Dodgers: BrothErhOod oF THe gamE (maRCh 29 - SEpTEmbER 14, 2014)
 perseverance: JapAnese TattoO TRAdItion in a MoDErn woRld (MarcH 8 - SeptemBer 14, 2014)
 MaRVels & MonSters: UnmaSking AsiaN IMageS IN U.S. comics, 1942-1986 (OctoBer 12, 2013 - FebruAry 9, 2014)
 FoldinG paper: tHe infinIte possibIlItiEs of ORigami (mArcH 10 - AuguSt 26, 2012)
 H. Watase Media Arts Cent er was est ablis hed  by  R ober t A.  Nakamura andK aren  L. Ishizuka, to devel op ne ww ayst odocum ent, pr e se r v e a nd  m ake  k n ow n the  ex perienc e of Ameri can sof Japanesea nc estry.  In  19 99, the Mana biand Su mi  Hi r asaki  Na tiona l Reso u rce Ce nter (HNR C) was es t ablishe d to  pro vide access to th e  m u seum's informa tion a nd re s o urc es,  both at t he  faci l ity and on l i n e.I t documents t he life and cul ture o fthe Japane se Am er i can s.

Akemi K ikum ura Yano,  autho r , was t h e museu m's fi rst  cu rato r .Sh e s uc c eed e dIre n e H irano as  P re siden t an d C E O fr om2008  unti l 2011. Durin g h er t e nur e, on  Dece mber  2 010,the mu seumwa s awarded the N atio nal Medal  fo rMus eu m and Librar y S erv ice.

R ev. Gre g  Ki mu r a ,  a n Episcopal priest ,w a sappointe d thep re si d ent andCE O o f th e museu m, s e rv ing betw een 20 1 2an d 2016.  D uringhi s t ime  them useu m expe riencedan ec o nomic downturn as he lookedt op r om o te u ntr aditional e xhib i ts a nd l e tgoc ore s taffme m be r s. He resigned in M ay  2016to pu rsue other wo rk opportu n i t ies.

In  201 6 ,A nn Burroughs w as an nounced to replacehim a s the ne w interim C EO and w asoff ici all y se lected shortl y ther ea fter. B urr oughs s pok e o f h erro le: "I am  committ ed  t ore inv igora t ing andfi ndi ng  ne w way s  to ad vance  the  m us e um’ s key v a lu e s , em ph as izin g t he  impo rtan c e o f being  vigilant  ab o ut d em oc racy an d stressing t he  value ofdi ver sity i n our worl d today."

Actor George Takei s erv es as  a m ember ofthe  museu m's boardof tru stees .Her e prese n t ed  it  a s his char i t y d uring  h is t ime onThe Celebrity Appr e nti ce and during  hi s ap p e ar anc e  o n  Th eN ewl y w ed Game.

Exhib its

The m us e um 's current lon gt erm exh ibition  is C o mmon Gr ound: The  Heart of  C ommu n i ty,  covering130 year s of Japa n ese A m er icanhis tory,fr omthe I ssei a n d e arlyimmigr at ion in to th eUnited S tates, World War II inc arcera tion,  to  the pres ent . 

S elected p revi ous exhibi tio ns Hell o!E xplor ingt he  Su p ercut e Wo r ld of Hel l oKit t y  ( October 11, 2 0 14- May  31 ,  2015) 
 Do dgers: Brotherhoo d  of the Game ( Marc h 29- S e ptem be r 14, 2014)
 P ers ev e r ance: Ja pa nese Tattoo  Traditi on in aModern  World  (March 8  - Septem ber14,  2014)
 M arv el s  & Mons te rs :  Unmas king  A sian I magesi n U. S .  Comics, 1942-19 86 (O c t ober1 2,2013-Februar y  9,2014)
 Fol ding Paper:  The I nfin ite P ossibil it ies of  Or ig ami (March 10 - Augu st 26 , 2012) 
 H._Watase Media_Arts Center was established_by Robert_A._Nakamura and_Karen_L. Ishizuka, to_develop new ways_to document, preserve and_make known the_experience_of Americans of Japanese ancestry.  In 1999, the Manabi and Sumi Hirasaki National_Resource_Center (HNRC)_was_established_to provide access to the_museum's information and resources, both_at the_facility and online. It documents the life and_culture_of the Japanese_Americans.

Akemi Kikumura Yano, author, was the museum's first curator._She succeeded Irene Hirano as President_and CEO from_2008_until_2011. During her tenure,_on December 2010, the museum was_awarded the National Medal for Museum_and Library Service.

Rev. Greg Kimura, an Episcopal_priest, was appointed the president and_CEO of the museum, serving_between 2012_and 2016. During his time_the museum experienced_an economic_downturn as he_looked to promote untraditional exhibits and_let go core_staff members. He resigned in May_2016_to pursue other_work_opportunities.

In_2016, Ann_Burroughs was announced_to_replace him_as_the new interim CEO and was_officially_selected shortly thereafter. Burroughs spoke of her_role: "I am committed_to_reinvigorating and finding new_ways to advance the museum’s_key values, emphasizing the importance of_being vigilant_about democracy_and stressing the value of diversity in our world today."

Actor George_Takei serves as a member of_the museum's board of_trustees. He_represented_it as his_charity_during his_time on The Celebrity Apprentice and during_his appearance_on The Newlywed Game.

Exhibits

The museum's current_longterm exhibition is Common_Ground:_The Heart of Community, covering 130_years of Japanese American history, from_the Issei and early immigration_into_the_United States, World War II_incarceration, to the present.

Selected previous exhibitions
_Hello! Exploring the_Supercute World of Hello Kitty (October 11,_2014_- May 31, 2015)
 Dodgers: Brotherhood_of_the Game (March 29 - September_14,_2014)
_Perseverance: Japanese Tattoo Tradition in_a Modern World (March 8 -_September 14, 2014)
 Marvels & Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images_in U.S. Comics,_1942-1986 (October 12, 2013 -_February_9,_2014)
 Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami (March 10_- August_26, 2012)