II. Mithila Center USA Initiative

Museum of Mithila Heritage, New York

A long-term cultural vision to create a dedicated institutional home — the Museum of Mithila Heritage, New York (MoM New York) — for the preservation, interpretation, and public presentation of Mithila art, history, language, traditions, and community heritage.

Formally announced on July 18, 2024 at Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence of New York City, this museum initiative represents Mithila Center USA's boldest step toward creating a lasting cultural institution for the Mithila diaspora and all New Yorkers.

Announced 2024 New York City In Development
Madhubani Tree of Life — Mithila heritage artwork
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.

The museum is not simply a standalone project — it is the next institutional step in the evolution of Mithila Center USA's work, building on its annual Mithila Festival USA, its recurring Art for SDGs exhibitions at the United Nations, and its increasing visibility in civic and international venues across New York.

Permanent Exhibitions

Dedicated galleries showcasing Mithila art, history, language, and cultural traditions.

Education & Workshops

Programs for students, youth, and families connecting heritage with hands-on learning.

Cultural Events

Open community events welcoming New York City's diverse audiences to engage with Mithila heritage.

Artist Platform

A collaborative space for artists, scholars, and cultural advocates from Nepal, India, and the diaspora.

  • 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

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.

  1. 2019–2022

    Cultural Foundation and Public Visibility

    Before the museum was announced, Mithila Center USA had already built a visible cultural platform through recurring public programs. The strongest documented foundation is the Art for SDGs: The Mithila Heritage exhibition, first launched at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in April 2019, and later continued through annual festival-linked and UN-linked programs. This exhibition model helped establish Mithila Center USA as an organization capable of presenting Mithila heritage in respected public and diplomatic spaces.

    Cultural Foundation and Public Visibility
  2. 2022–2023

    Community Programming and Annual Festival Growth

    The initiative's next stage was the steady expansion of Mithila Festival USA, which became a recurring platform for art exhibitions, youth programs, cultural celebrations, and public recognition. By 2023 and 2024, this annual programming had grown into a recognizable cultural calendar in New York, helping create the audience base, institutional relationships, and cultural momentum needed for a future museum concept. Public reporting also tied the 2023 edition to a mayoral proclamation recognizing Mithila cultural celebration in New York City.

  3. 2024

    International Credibility Through UN-Linked Exhibitions

    A major development stage came with the continued growth of the Art for SDGs platform at the United Nations Headquarters, especially the exhibition held from July 8–17, 2024 at the CB-01 Curved Wall during the High-Level Political Forum. This gave Mithila Center USA stronger international credibility and reinforced the case for a more permanent cultural institution dedicated to Mithila heritage.

  4. July 2024

    Formal Public Announcement of the Museum Vision

    Key Milestone

    The most explicit milestone so far is the public announcement on July 18, 2024, during the Mithila Heritage Reception at Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence in New York. At this event, Amit Pratap Shah formally announced the establishment of the Museum of Mithila Heritage, New York and described its intended role as a cultural hub for exhibits, education, workshops, and public engagement. This is the clearest public launch point for the museum initiative.

    Formal Public Announcement of the Museum Vision
  5. 2024–Present

    Current Stage: Vision and Ecosystem-Building

    In Progress

    The Mithila Museum Initiative is at an institution-building and ecosystem-development phase rather than an already-open operational phase. Ongoing planning around site opening, capital campaign documentation, and construction timeline is in progress. The public announcement has been made, and the partner ecosystem has been fostered to support future development — built on years of exhibitions, festivals, public programming, and institutional partnerships.

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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