Located in Seattle's Chinatown-International District, the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is nationally recognized for its work in creating dynamic, community-driven exhibitions and programs that explore the history, culture, and art of all Asian Pacific Islanders.
Founded in 1965 and named after Wing Luke, the first Asian American elected to public office in the Pacific Northwest, the Museum is seen by many not as a collection of relics, but as a living institution, connected to and sustained by the stories, memories, artifacts, and art of the immigrant community.
Much of this is do to the work of Ron Chew, a Seattle native and the son of Chinese immigrants, who served as the Museum's third Executive Director. During his 17 year tenure, Chew adopted the use of community-based exhibits, in which public committees, not curators, provide ideas and even create exhibitions as a way to fight for social justice. Under his leadership, the Museum was designated as a National Park Service Affiliated Area and as the first Smithsonian affiliate in the Pacific Northwest.
Chew is the recipient of the Ford Foundation's Leadership for a Changing World Award and the American Association of Museums' "Centennial Honor Roll" which recognizes the top 100 people who support the profession and help make America’s museums places of discovery, inspiration, joy, and life long learning.
Today, he is at the helm of Chew Communications, which specializes in helping cultural organizations to collect stories and oral histories that contribute to a more tolerant and just world.
Ron Chew
former Executive Director, Wing Luke Asian Museum
David C. Barnett
Senior Arts Reporter, ideastream®
Megan Lykins Reich
Deputy Director, moCa Cleveland
Dan Moulthrop
CEO, The City Club of Cleveland
