The museum holds one of the world's finest displays of First Nations art from the Northwest Coast.
Arthur Erickson's design was inspired by the post-and-beam architecture of northern Northwest Coast Indigenous houses.
The Raven and the First Men sculpture, carved from a single block of yellow cedar, is featured on the Canadian $20 bill.
The Multiversity Galleries house thousands of items in visible storage, challenging traditional museum display hierarchies.
The museum grounds feature two full-scale Haida houses and several memorial poles.
The facility serves as an active research and teaching site for the UBC Department of Anthropology.
The Museum of Anthropology at UBC is a world-renowned institution specializing in the cultures of First Nations peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Designed by architect Arthur Erickson, the facility features a high-ceilinged Great Hall with massive totem poles and house posts. The museum houses over 50,000 ethnographic objects and approximately 535,000 archaeological items. It is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam people. The gallery architecture uses concrete and glass to draw natural light into spaces exhibiting sculptures and ceramics. Visitors can view the iconic 'The Raven and the First Men' sculpture by Bill Reid in the rotunda. The museum's Multiversity Galleries provide open storage, allowing public access to thousands of cataloged artifacts typically hidden in archives. It functions as a research and teaching facility within the University of British Columbia campus.
The Great Hall, capturing the interplay between the towering totem poles and the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Check the museum website for special programming, as guided tours led by Indigenous cultural interpreters are frequently offered.
Allow extra time to walk through the surrounding landscaped grounds, which offer scenic views of the Burrard Inlet.
Use the 'Collections Online' database on the museum's website to identify specific pieces you wish to see before arriving.
Do not overlook the outdoor pathways, as many visitors skip the Haida houses situated behind the main building.
Open daily, though occasionally closed for private events or university holidays; always verify seasonal changes on the official website.
Maintain a respectful distance from artifacts; do not touch totem poles or displays unless explicitly invited.
