The California State Legislature on Wednesday, June 15 passed the 2016 – 2017 fiscal year Budget which included $1 million to build the Armenian American Museum in Glendale and $500,000 to support the Lark Musical Society, Asbarez reports.

“I am proud to have secured $1 million for the construction of the Armenian Museum,” stated Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. “The Armenian journey to California—from genocide to prosperity—is a critical thread in the fabric of our State. An Armenian museum recognizing our past would be an excellent addition to our State’s wealth of cultural and historical centers.”

The mission of the Armenian American Museum is to promote understanding and appreciation of America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by sharing the Armenian American experience. The Museum will be a cultural campus that enriches the community, educates the public on the Armenian American story, and empowers individuals to embrace cultural diversity and speak out against prejudice, Asbarez says.

The museum is patterned after Los Angeles County museums that combine the lessons and experiences of a specific group of residents with the vision of preventing discrimination and improving collaboration between all citizens of the County.

The LARK Musical Society is a collective of Armenian musicians with a passion for great classical and folk music. Musicianship is the cornerstone of LARK’s activities, however the last twenty years the Society has expanded to become a hub for artists practicing in all mediums.