The Chinese Canadian Museum is thrilled to welcome Olivia Chow as Director of Curatorial Programs, beginning July 2, 2025.
Born in Canada but based in Hong Kong for more than a decade, Chow brings a bold curatorial voice shaped by international experience and a deep commitment to Asian diasporic histories, transnational exchange, and artist-led collaboration.
She joins us at a pivotal moment in the museum’s journey, as the Chinese Canadian Museum marks its second anniversary and continues to grow its impact across communities. In this new role, Chow will lead the museum’s curatorial vision, shape exhibitions and public programs, and cultivate meaningful dialogue with Chinese Canadian and broader diasporic communities both locally and globally. Her leadership will help tell the layered, intergenerational stories that define Chinese Canadian life, past and present.
“Olivia brings a global perspective and a deeply thoughtful curatorial approach to our team,” said Dr. Melissa Karmen Lee, CEO of the Chinese Canadian Museum. “Her commitment to artistic dialogue and community engagement will be essential as we continue to shape a new platform for Chinese Canadian voices.”
Most recently, Chow curated Trevor Yeung: Courtyard of Attachments, Hong Kong in Venice, Hong Kong’s Collateral Event at the 60th Venice Biennale, as well as its return presentation Trevor Yeung: Courtyard of Detachments at M+. During her time as Assistant Curator at M+ (2018–2025), she played a key role in major solo exhibitions, including Nalini Malani: Vision in Motion and Shirley Tse: Stakeholders, Hong Kong in Venice, Hong Kong’s presentation at the 58th Venice Biennale.
At M+, Chow was also part of the museum’s visual art team, where she supported international acquisitions and contributed to the formation of the inaugural M+ International Council for Visual Art.
Prior to M+, Chow held curatorial roles at Para Site (2015–2017) in Hong Kong and The Works Art and Design Festival (2010–2014) in Edmonton, reflecting a longstanding commitment to both local and international art communities.
“It is an honoured to return to Canada for this role,” said Chow. “Vancouver has long been a place of arrival, passage, and connection for transnational Chinese diasporic families. The museum is uniquely positioned to help recognize overlooked histories and to tell stories that are both rooted and far-reaching. I look forward to collaborating with artists, communities, and colleagues to expand how these narratives are shared, remembered, and reimagined.”
With Chow’s appointment, the museum reinforces its mission to explore the diverse histories and contemporary realities of Chinese Canadian communities through dynamic, artist-led programming.
For more information about the Chinese Canadian Museum and its current exhibitions, please visit www.ChineseCanadianMuseum.ca.
About the Chinese Canadian Museum
The Chinese Canadian Museum is the first museum of its kind in Canada, dedicated to preserving and sharing Chinese Canadian history, contributions, and living heritage. Located in the historic Wing Sang Building in Vancouver’s Chinatown, the museum opened to the public in 2023. That same year, it was awarded the Governor General’s History Award for Excellence in Museums.
The museum presents transformative exhibitions and programs across Canada that engage with the diverse experiences of Chinese Canadians. Its 2023 feature exhibition, The Paper Trail, explored the legacies of exclusion, migration, and resilience.
Current exhibitions include Dream Factory: Cantopop, Mandopop 1980s–2000 featuring artists Ming Wong, Ho Tam, Bagua Artist Association, as well as other ongoing exhibitions that highlight Chinese diasporic voices across generations.