Asian Arts Initiative

MISSION AND HISTORY

Asian Arts Initiative is a multi-disciplinary and community-based arts center in Philadelphia that engages and advances racial equity and understanding, activating artists, youth, and their communities through creative practice and dialogue grounded in the diverse Asian American experience.

The organization grew out of a program started at the Painted Bride Art Center in 1993 in response to concerns about racial tension between African American and Asian American communities. Today, Asian Arts Initiative provides a wide array of programming to serve artists, youth, and our broader community of Asian/Americans.

OUR WORK

Through exhibitions, performances, and community projects, we provide an inclusive gathering place for conversation and exchange of ideas. Our community-based arts initiatives seek out and cultivate innovative models for artists to engage with local communities, with a particular emphasis on working in partnership with our immediate neighborhood. Our primary programs include: 

1. Artist residencies, commissions, and presentation of performances and exhibitions for underrepresented artists to develop professionally and to create socially relevant artwork reflecting community experiences; 
2. Year-round out-of-school-time programming for middle school youth, offering creative development and a safe place; 
3. Participatory initiatives that integrate culture and community development in our immediate neighborhood of Chinatown North/Callowhill.

POPULATIONS SERVED:
Chinese : Filipino : Japanese : Korean : Malaysian : Bangladeshi : Plus More