The Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia

Mission

Our mission is to amplify the collective wisdom of the people of Oceania through a permanent collection, educational programs, rotating exhibits, and living arts. Our purpose is to connect the community to resources and foster intercultural exchanges with appreciation and respect. 

History
PIEAM founded on October 14, 2010 evolved from the private collection of the late Dr. Robert Gumbiner and the Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia. Dr. Gumbiner was the founder of FHP, a pioneer in the health maintenance (HMO) industry. In the early 1970s, his healthcare work led him to an island in the Pacific Ocean: Guam. From there he explored the other islands in Micronesia. During his travels, Dr. Gumbiner was intrigued by the island of Yap, one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). In 1994, he founded the Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia to preserve and revive the lost arts of Micronesia and serve as a base for training a younger generation of artists. There, he was given a unique opportunity as the only foreign investor in Yap, to build a 22-room boutique hotel, Traders’ Ridge Resort, which opened in late 1999. These two ventures provided the opportunity to offer island guests a unique cultural experience (through the Ethnic Art Institute of Micronesia) and brought traditional island arts to the outside world. During his travels, Dr. Gumbiner amassed an impressive private collection of work, previously located in a private gallery in his home on Naples Island, Long Beach, CA. With his passing, the art was gifted to PIEAM . In addition to his collection, Dr. Gumbiner provided funds to launch the museum.