FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Hmong Museum Awarded Significant Grants to Amplify Hmong Voices and Stories in Minnesota

[St. Paul, MN] – August 1, 2025 – Hmong Museum is thrilled to announce the receipt of two substantial grants, totaling $65,000, that will significantly enhance its mission to preserve, promote, and present Hmong culture, history, and contemporary experiences in Minnesota. These vital funds will support innovative projects designed to engage the community and create impactful educational and cultural programming.

The Minnesota Historical Society has generously awarded Hmong Museum a grant of $30,000 for an ambitious “Story Mapping Project.” This groundbreaking initiative will meticulously identify and highlight places of historical and cultural significance to the Hmong community across Minnesota. Through archival research, community input, and oral histories, the project aims to create an interactive digital map that will serve as an invaluable resource for understanding the Hmong diaspora’s journey and contributions within the state. This project will not only illuminate lesser-known narratives but also foster a deeper connection between the Hmong community and the broader Minnesota landscape.

Furthermore, the Minnesota State Arts Board has awarded Hmong Museum a grant of $35,000 to fund a compelling new exhibit focused on the multifaceted concept of “home” within the Hmong experience. This project will involve the collection of personal narratives, oral histories, and visual elements from Hmong individuals and families, exploring diverse interpretations of “home” – from ancestral lands to refugee camps, from resettlement experiences to establishing new roots in Minnesota. The exhibit will visually represent these powerful stories, utilizing a variety of artistic mediums to create an immersive and thought-provoking experience for visitors.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Minnesota Historical Society and the Minnesota State Arts Board for their generous support,” says Mai Huizel, Executive Director. “These grants are a testament to the importance of Hmong voices and stories in shaping the cultural fabric of Minnesota. The Story Mapping Project will be an important historical record, while the ‘home’ exhibit will offer a deeply personal and artistic exploration of identity and belonging. We believe these projects will resonate deeply with both the Hmong community and the wider public.”

The highly anticipated “home” exhibit is slated to open in Fall 2025, promising a unique and inspiring cultural experience for all ages. Hmong Museum invites community members to participate in the Story Mapping Project and the “home” exhibit by sharing their own stories and insights.

To share your story or learn more about these exciting initiatives, please visit: www.hmongmuseumMN.org/story-map

Contact: Mai Huizel, info@hmongmuseumMN.org, 612-208-6257

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