Museum of Anthropology at UBC

The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) on the University of British Columbia campus was founded in 1947, and its current concrete-and-glass building by Arthur Erickson opened in 1976, inspired by Northwest Coast post-and-beam architecture. The Great Hall holds totem poles and carvings from Haida and other coastal First Nations villages, and reopened in June 2024 after a seismic upgrade.

Beyond the Great Hall, the Multiversity Galleries display more than 9,000 objects from around the world, the Koerner Gallery shows over 600 European ceramics, and Bill Reid's yellow cedar sculpture The Raven and the First Men, once pictured on the Canadian $20 bill, is a highlight. The collection includes about 50,000 ethnographic and 535,000 archaeological objects.

Highlights at Museum of Anthropology at UBC

• Great Hall of Northwest Coast poles and carvings (reopened June 2024)
• Bill Reid's The Raven and the First Men
• Multiversity Galleries with 9,000+ objects on open display
• Koerner European Ceramics Gallery (600+ pieces)
• Elspeth McConnell Gallery of Northwest Coast Masterworks
• Audrey & Harry Hawthorn Library and Archives

Location: where Museum of Anthropology at UBC is

Museum of Anthropology at UBC is at 6393 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC.

• Beaty Biodiversity Museum (about 15 min walk)
• Pacific Spirit Regional Park forest trails (short drive or bus)
• Wreck Beach trails nearby on NW Marine Drive
• UBC bus loop (about 10–15 min walk)

Getting there and parking

Take a bus to the UBC bus loop, then walk about 10 to 15 minutes north-west across campus. There is pay parking on campus nearby.

Good for

• Rainy days
• Culture
• Architecture
• Visitors
• Couples

Museum of Anthropology at UBC: frequently asked questions

Is MOA open after its renovation?
Yes. The Great Hall reopened on June 13, 2024 after a seismic upgrade.

How long should I spend at MOA?
Plan two to three hours to see the Great Hall, the Bill Reid rotunda and the Multiversity Galleries.

Can I combine MOA with another museum?
Yes. The Beaty Biodiversity Museum is also on the UBC campus, about a 15-minute walk away.