Museum of Anthropology
Located at the University of British Columbia, the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is renowned for its collections of world art and cultures.
Housed in a spectacular building designed by famed Canadian architect Arthur Erickson, Vancouver's Museum of Anthropology (MOA) is a must-see destination. Situated on the cliffs of Point Grey with stunning ocean views, the museum is celebrated for its vast collections, particularly its display of large-scale First Nations poles, carvings, and weavings in the magnificent Great Hall.
Why Visit the Museum of Anthropology?
- World-Class First Nations Art: MOA is home to one of the world's finest collections of Northwest Coast First Nations art, including massive totem poles, intricate carvings, and ceremonial objects.
- Stunning Architecture: The iconic Arthur Erickson-designed building, inspired by post-and-beam First Nations structures, is a masterpiece in itself, with soaring glass walls that connect the exhibits to the landscape.
- Global Collections: Explore more than 50,000 works from around the world, including ceramics from Europe and textiles from Asia, many of which are accessible in the unique Multiversity Galleries.
- Beautiful Location: The museum's location at UBC offers dramatic views of the sea and mountains, with outdoor exhibits that complement the indoor collections.
What to See & Do
- The Great Hall: Stand in awe of the massive totem poles and house posts displayed in this light-filled space with 15-metre high glass walls.
- Bill Reid's "The Raven and the First Men": Admire this iconic yellow cedar sculpture, a masterpiece of contemporary First Nations art that is depicted on the Canadian $20 bill. - The Multiversity Galleries: Wander through the visible storage galleries, where thousands of objects from around the globe are on display.
- Outdoor Exhibits: Explore the two Haida Houses and totem poles situated outside, overlooking the water.
Pro Tips & Local Insights
- Allow Plenty of Time: To fully appreciate the vast collections, plan to spend at least two to three hours.
- Take a Guided Tour: Check the museum's schedule for free guided tours, which offer deeper insights into the collections and the stories behind them.
- Explore the UBC Campus: Combine your visit with a walk around the beautiful UBC campus, visit the nearby Nitobe Memorial Garden, or head down to Wreck Beach.
Nearby Attractions (Transit-Friendly)
- Nitobe Memorial Garden: An authentic Japanese tea and stroll garden, considered one of the best outside of Japan, located a short walk from MOA.
- UBC Botanical Garden: Explore a huge variety of plants from around the world, including the Greenheart TreeWalk canopy walkway.
- Wreck Beach: Vancouver's famous clothing-optional beach is located down a long flight of stairs near the museum.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: YesMuseum of Anthropology Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
Phone: (604) 827-5932
Official Website: Museum of Anthropology
Museum of Anthropology Reviews
Rated out of 5
We loved this museum and learned a lot about the indigenous culture and their history and renaissance of the culture in modern day. Museum is large and you can spend hours. Even if you’re not usually a “museum person” I would recommend visiting. Areas include displays from Asia and the Pacific. It’s close to main campus so we also walked the university which was nice. Fun fact, when we returned home and watched a series, recognized that it was filmed on the campus.
CW - 3 weeks ago
I wasn't expecting to enjoy a museum visit, but the Museum of Anthropology at UBC truly exceeded my expectations. The MOA's collection of Indigenous arts and culture is outstanding, showcasing incredible craftsmanship and storytelling. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to learn about the rich history and traditions of Indigenous communities. The museum's unique blend of cultural and artistic exhibits makes it a must-visit destination in Vancouver. Highly recommended!
Blessing Obi - a month ago
The Museum of Anthropology is absolutely amazing. It is a sprawling museum filled with incredible history and culture, and every section offers something fascinating to learn. We ended up staying much longer than planned because it was so good. I highly recommend a visit to anyone interested in art, culture, or history.
Roseanne - 2 weeks ago
Very well designed, maintained and plenty to see, learn and enjoy. Huge number of artifacts describing the life and period of indigeneous people.
As a bonus a small indian, chinese and other communitie's section also is there featuring quality items.
Outdoor gallery is quite enjoyable.
There is small eatery inside, just in case you end up spending more time and feel hunger. The quality of food available will not disappoint you.
They do not allow backpacks and other similar articles to be taken inside but cameras are allowed. They also provide free locker facility which is a real help to keep items that can not be carried inside.
Highly highly recommended.
Basant - a month ago
Great place to learn more about indigenous art and culture. However, I would have loved to learn more about the significance and meaning behind the animals on the totem poles and the way of living. Also, how some of the traditions are similar across various cultures and geographies. There were a lot of artifacts in an exhibit of various regions from Asia to the Americas but it felt like it was missing some explanation or storytelling.
Lovely building and exterior grounds. The outdoor area is a nice place for quiet contemplation on a sunny day.
Alicia C - 4 months ago
Directions
| Skytrain and Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Expo Line -> #99 | Commercial-Broadway | 3 Minutes or 15 Minutes if walking from UBC Bus Exchange |
| Canada Line -> #99 | Broadway-City Hall | 3 Minutes or 15 Minutes if walking from UBC Bus Exchange |
| Millennium Line -> #84 | VCC-Clark | 3 Minutes or 15 Minutes if walking from UBC Bus Exchange |
How to get to Museum of Anthropology by Skytrain and Bus
From VCC-Clark SkyTrain Station on the Millennium Line catch the #84 UBC to its terminus at the UBC bus loop. From Commercial-Broadway Station on the Expo Line or Broadway-City Hall Station on the Canada Line catch the #99 UBC westbound on Broadway to its terminus at the UBC Exchange
Alternatively, from Monday to Friday before 6:30 pm, you can take the #44 UBC from Waterfront or Burrard Station to the UBC Exchange.
After you reach the UBC Transit Exchange you can walk through the campus from the UBC Exchange to the museum (about a 15-minute walk) or wait for bus #68 at Bay 1 and take it to NW Marine Drive at West Mall. From there walk back and cross over NW Marine Drive and to the museum entrance.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Photo Gallery
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Native artifacts inside the Museum of Anthropology cc licensed photo by Leoboudv -
Totem poles outside the Museum of Anthropology photo by Arnold C -
Photo Credit: colink. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Scarlet Sappho - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Olivier Bruchez - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: roland - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Scarlet Sappho - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Olivier Bruchez - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Scarlet Sappho - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: roland - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: roland - cc license via Flickr
