Mithila Museum Initiative

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Mithila art displayed in a museum wall setting

The Vision

A Permanent Home for Mithila Heritage

The Museum of Mithila Heritage, New York — also referred to as Mithila Museum New York (MMNY) or MoM New York — is envisioned as a vibrant cultural hub that will showcase the unique art, history, and traditions of Mithila while offering a place where communities can engage, learn, and take pride in their heritage.

  • 2024

    Year Announced

    At Gracie Mansion, NYC

  • 5+

    Years of Foundation

    Built through programs since 2019

  • 8+

    Strategic Partners

    Diplomatic, cultural & community

  • NY

    Home City

    New York City, United States

Cultural Foundation and Public Visibility

How We Got Here

Development Journey

The Mithila Museum Initiative is currently progressing through a development phase built on years of exhibitions, festivals, public programming, and institutional partnerships — from its early visibility through Art for SDGs at the United Nations to its formal public announcement at Gracie Mansion in July 2024.

Collaborative Network

Strategic Partners

The Mithila Museum Initiative is being built on a foundation of cultural, civic, diplomatic, and community partnerships developed through years of Mithila Center USA programming — drawing on relationships established through Art for SDGs exhibitions, Mithila Festival USA, and institutional engagements at the United Nations and New York City civic venues.

Civic & Diplomatic

  • Permanent Mission of Nepal to the United Nations, New York
  • Consulate General of Nepal in New York
  • United Nations Headquarters, New York

Cultural & Artistic

  • Janakpur Women's Development Center
  • Youth's Enthusiasm in Nepal
  • Apan Foundation

Community Networks

  • Madheshi Association in America (MAA)
  • UN Resident Coordinator's Office, Nepal

The strategic partner network is actively being developed as the museum initiative moves from announcement to the next phase of institutional development. Additional partnerships across cultural institutions, academic organizations, and funding bodies are being established to support the museum's long-term vision.

The Bigger Picture

Why the Museum Matters

MoM New York will not only conserve Mithila's artistic legacy, but provide a platform for artists, scholars, cultural advocates, and future generations to collaborate and strengthen cultural continuity.

New York City is home to one of the largest Mithila diaspora communities in the United States. For generations, that community has carried its heritage through private celebration, informal networks, and occasional cultural events. A permanent museum changes that — giving Mithila culture a public identity, a civic address, and an institutional voice in one of the world's most important cities.

The museum also contributes to New York City's multicultural identity by bringing a living, evolving heritage tradition from South Asia into the city's broader cultural landscape — offering all New Yorkers a window into a world they may not yet know.

What MoM New York Will Create

  • A permanent civic address for Mithila culture in New York City
  • Educational programs connecting youth with their cultural roots
  • A bridge between South Asian heritage and New York's global community
  • A platform for living Mithila artists, scholars, and cultural advocates
  • Institutional continuity for the diaspora community and future generations
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