The Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre is pleased to present a cohesive new name and logo to start our second decade.

Formerly known as both the National Nikkei Museum & Heritage Centre and Japanese Canadian National Museum, our new name is Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre. For most purposes we will be using “Nikkei Centre” for general activities and for the building as a whole, and “Nikkei National Museum” for museum-specific activities.  It is proposed that we legally change our name to Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre at our upcoming AGM in April.

Nikkei Centre officially opened on September 22, 2000 in a beautiful multi-use facility in Burnaby, BC, conceptually designed by renowned Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama. The term Nikkei translates as “of Japanese descent.” Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre is an incorporated non-profit and charitable society which is community-based and primarily volunteer-run.

Our mission is to preserve and promote Japanese Canadian history, arts and culture through vibrant programs and exhibits that connect generations and inspire diverse audiences.

Nikkei National Museum produces several exhibits each year (balancing historical content with traditional and contemporary art) and collects, preserves and makes accessible archives, art and artifacts related to Japanese Canadian heritage. Currently the collection includes more than 3000 photographs, 350 oral history recordings, over 25 metres of archival and textual materials, and 1000 artifacts. The collections are accessed by scholars and community researchers on a regular basis. Each year, over 1000 students participate in our educational programs.

In addition to public programs and exhibits, Nikkei Centre provides community services, weekly cultural programs, produces several publications, and makes our facilities available for public use and special events. We are a well-known “boutique”-style rental facility for weddings, parties and corporate meetings.  Nikkei Centre serves all Japanese Canadians across the country, and is an important resource for other communities to learn about the Japanese Canadian experience.

Nikkei Place is the legacy of over 100 years of Japanese presence in Canada, helping to connect our past with future generations of Canadians.

Craig Ngai Natsuhara, President

Nikkei Centre was built as a community project to remember and honour the perseverance of the first generation of Japanese Canadian immigrants. Although 70 years have passed since the internment during the Second World War, the effects of displacement continue to resonate within the community and subsequent generations. The Japanese Canadian population is scattered across the country, and the community has the highest intermarriage rate of any ethnic group in Canada (almost 95%).

MEDIA RELEASE for logo – FINAL

A new blog with notes and ideas for an exhibit on the history of Japanese Canadians and the Fishing Industry to share with and get feedback from other a-fish-iados. The exhibit is scheduled to open at the Japanese Canadian National Museum in Burnaby in the fall of 2012.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director-Curator, the Education Coordinator oversees all aspects of the school programs and other educational experiences at the JCNM, including some fundraising, promotional and general administrative work. This is a permanent part-time position averaging 20 hours/week.

Responsibilities:

• Tours: Conduct educational tours, communicate with teachers for bookings, coordinate volunteer presentations.

• Programs: development and management of resource kits and other education programs.
• Staff: supervise volunteers.
• Promotion: oversee publicity and promotion of education programs.
• Fundraising: work with the Director-Curator to investigate and prepare applications for

grants,  and sponsorship opportunities for Education programs.

• Administration: provides advice on budgets, programs and procedures related to the Education programs.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelors degree related to education, museum studies, history or related experience
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work well without supervision.
• Ability to work with all age groups
• Experience with supervising staff and volunteers.
• Ability to work within budgets.
• Ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Strong familiarity with basic computer programs (excel, word, filemaker) and high comfort level with email and the web.
• Knowledge of Canadian and local history.

Assets:

• Experience with, or understanding of, local school systems.
• Knowledge of Japanese Canadian history.
• Familiarity with Japanese culture.
• Knowledge of artifact care and handling practices.
• Ability to speak and read Japanese.
• Ability to drive and access to a vehicle

Application deadline: AUGUST 6, 2011

Resumes will be accepted by email to HR@nikkeiplace.org.

We thank everyone for their interest, but only those being interviewed will be contacted.

Diane Yamada, Grace Reiko Tanaka, John Mark Read, Mickey Maikawa, Neil Odamura, Noriko Okusa, Pat Adachi, Paul Walker, Saburo Shinbo, Stan Fukawa, Tom Matsui, Virginia Sato, Walter Richard Voice