An Wang gained fame for his generous contributions to colleges and universities, hospitals, and arts organizations. In 1983 Wang donated $4 million to rescue Boston's decaying Metropolitan Theatre, which closed when a ceiling collapsed. Today, the facility is known as the Wang Center for the Performing Arts. When asked to explain his philanthropic contributions, Wang said: "In countries or civilizations where one generation has benefited in knowledge, physical faculties, or whatever, it means that you have already profited from the benefits that previous generations lacked. So you should pay back the past and pass other benefits onto the next generation."