Asian Arts Initiative

Asian Arts Initiative Asian Arts Initiative is a community-based arts center in Chinatown North. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at

Since 1993, the Initiative has proven to be a dynamic resource to the greater Philadelphia Asian American community through workshops, exhibitions, and performance. The Initiative engages the history, culture, and current-day conversations of Asian Americans and responds to the needs of youth and others for avenues for creative expression. Today, the Initiative touches thousands of people in the P

hiladelphia region as a recognized voice for Asian Americans. The Asian Arts Initiative is honored to have been recognized with the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts. To donate to the Asian Arts Initiative, please visit:
https://asianartsinitiative.org/join-initiative

NEW EXHIBIT๐Ÿ“ขโœจJoin us at the opening reception of our highly anticipated Spring season exhibition, ๐˜พ๐™ง๐™š๐™จ๐™˜๐™š๐™ฃ๐™™๐™ค: ๐™ƒ๐™ค๐™ฌ ๐˜ผ๐™ง๐™ฉ ๐™ˆ๐™–๐™ ...
02/05/2025

NEW EXHIBIT๐Ÿ“ขโœจJoin us at the opening reception of our highly anticipated Spring season exhibition, ๐˜พ๐™ง๐™š๐™จ๐™˜๐™š๐™ฃ๐™™๐™ค: ๐™ƒ๐™ค๐™ฌ ๐˜ผ๐™ง๐™ฉ ๐™ˆ๐™–๐™ ๐™š๐™จ ๐™ˆ๐™ค๐™ซ๐™š๐™ข๐™š๐™ฃ๐™ฉ๐™จ (1981-1999) on Friday, February 28, 5โ€“8PM.

๐˜พ๐™ง๐™š๐™จ๐™˜๐™š๐™ฃ๐™™๐™ค is a historical survey of multidisciplinary art projects created between 1981 and 1999, intersecting with Asian American social movements. Largely inspired by Jazz and improvised music that were central to the Black Arts Movement, the artists featured in the exhibition used music as a vehicle to build solidarity beyond races and ethnicities. This marks the first time these influential figures are recognized through a major exhibition and we believe this is an especially critical time to highlight the history of how art and music have madeโ€”and continue to makeโ€”loud impacts in amplifying social movements.

Following the reception, at 7PM, do not miss a special concert featuring Jazz legend Salim Washington as he returns to Philadelphia to present an evening of music, poetry, and a panel on his experiences in both political activism and the arts. Washingtonโ€™s insights will serve as a catalyst for dialogue, reconnecting with local Philadelphia musicians and community members to reflect on and discuss the ways in which art and activism intersect in the contemporary context. Tickets are pay-what-you-wish but registration is required to attend the concert. RSVP today at the link in bio ๐Ÿ”—

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exhibition poster design by

Meet our 2025 Artist/Activist Fellows! Continuing Asian Arts Initiativeโ€™s dedication to building community through the p...
01/31/2025

Meet our 2025 Artist/Activist Fellows! Continuing Asian Arts Initiativeโ€™s dedication to building community through the power of art, we launched a call for proposal last Fall for our inaugural Artist/Activist Fellowship to seek artists and collectives who work at the intersection between artistic practice and social activism.

Lauren Lowe () (she/they), who also goes by LL, is a q***r writer and teaching artist with family roots in Philadelphiaโ€™s Chinatown.

The Memory Workersโ€™ Guild (MWG) exists to create a better present and future for the legacies of Black cultural workers that are often buried behind the nature of our care.

Welcome to AAI, LL and MWG! Check out the link in our bio to learn more about our Fellows and their projects ๐Ÿ”—

๐ŸโœจGet yourself the iconic 2025 Year of the Snake calendar and support our amazing Education Programs at Asian Arts Initi...
01/28/2025

๐ŸโœจGet yourself the iconic 2025 Year of the Snake calendar and support our amazing Education Programs at Asian Arts Initiativeโœจ๐Ÿ

Led by our amazing Teaching Artist, Hanzi, this special calendar was made with illustrations and designs from AAIโ€™s Youth Arts Workshop students and debuted at our Community Fair last December! Check out the link in our bio to grab one (or a few) while supplies last! All proceeds go to the students who participate in the project.

We wish you a Happy Lunar New Year ๐Ÿ๐Ÿงง๐Ÿ’•

We decided to extend the deadline for the 2025 Writers Residency Application till Monday January 13, 2025 for all of you...
01/07/2025

We decided to extend the deadline for the 2025 Writers Residency Application till Monday January 13, 2025 for all of you slow to start the new year type procrastinators.

Apply to a paid opportunity to connect with other writers and musicians about inspiring and thoughtful music that will be a part of the second SOUND TYPE Music Festival.

A reminder that ANY LEVEL of experience for music writing is welcome and we STRONGLY encourage submissions from those who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC and/pr LGBTQ+ to apply. The goal is to support EMERGING and established writer by inviting professional writers for coaching, and connect the cohort to AAIโ€™s diverse music offering all year round!

Learn more and apply with the link in bio

We are so proud of our youth program students and teachers for showcasing an incredible photography exhibition at the Ph...
12/23/2024

We are so proud of our youth program students and teachers for showcasing an incredible photography exhibition at the Philadelphia International Airport! If you are traveling in and out of our city during this holiday season, check out this phenomenal installation at Terminal A-East Bag Claim!

Our office is now closed until the new year! We hope you have a wonderful end of the year and we canโ€™t wait to return with exciting programs and events for Spring 2025 โœจ

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image courtesy of

Asian Arts Initiative will move forward in 2025 with a renewed focus on Chinatown. We are excited to begin work on a pro...
12/20/2024

Asian Arts Initiative will move forward in 2025 with a renewed focus on Chinatown. We are excited to begin work on a project that will prioritize the preservation of our neighborhood. And we are excited to continue the fight as a member of the Save Chinatown Coalition. This is a call to arms. City Council has proven itself to be weak and aligned with billionaires, and we the people will be called upon to keep our elected officials in check.

As we reflect on a year of growth and transformation here at Asian Arts Initiative, weโ€™re excited to share some key updates with you. In 2024, weโ€™ve had several staff advancements and changes to our Board. See the link in our bio to read the full announcement.

Please note: Our offices will be closed for the holidays from December 21, 2024 through January 6, 2025. We look forward to seeing you in the New Year!

We wish you rest and rejuvenation as we reflect on this year. And we hope that in 2025, you will be ready to join the fight with us.

With care,
Asian Arts Initiative

We extended the deadline for 2025 SOUND TYPE Writers Residency by a few days! Help us spread the words and apply to this...
12/18/2024

We extended the deadline for 2025 SOUND TYPE Writers Residency by a few days! Help us spread the words and apply to this paid opportunity by January 5, 2025!

The goal of the Music Writers Residency is to support emerging and established writers by inviting professional writers for coaching, and connect the cohort to AAIโ€˜s diverse music offerings. Any level of experience for music writing is welcome and we strongly encourage submissions from those who identify as Black, Indigenous, person of color and/or LGBTQ+

Learn more about the residency and apply at the link in bio ๐Ÿ”—

Party with us one last time before the year ends with Foodman () next Wednesday (12/18) starting at 7PM!!! A leading nam...
12/12/2024

Party with us one last time before the year ends with Foodman () next Wednesday (12/18) starting at 7PM!!! A leading name in Japanโ€™s footwork and juke scene, Foodman will present an unforgettable evening of music drawn from every kind of genre he stumbles across, from Chicago footwork to Okinawan folk music of his roots, then twists them all with his playful psychedelia. This show will open with , a multi-hyphenate creative, DJ, experience designer, and community builder based in Philadelphia.

We are so excited to end the year with this rare opportunity to catch Foodman in Philly! Get your tickets today at the link in our bio ๐Ÿ”—

This Saturday (12/14) at 7PM๐Ÿ’ฅCome celebrate with us at the Closing Party ๐™๐™จ๐™š๐™จ ๐™ค๐™› ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š ๐™„๐™ง๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™ž๐™˜ by . Featuring music contrib...
12/10/2024

This Saturday (12/14) at 7PM๐Ÿ’ฅCome celebrate with us at the Closing Party ๐™๐™จ๐™š๐™จ ๐™ค๐™› ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š ๐™„๐™ง๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™ž๐™˜ by . Featuring music contributions from and along with Rashid, this will be an epic night of music and dancing and the LAST chance to experience this highly acclaimed exhibition before it closes this Saturday. Join us! Tickets are free/pay what you wish at the link in our bio ๐Ÿ”—

โ€œAs we face an uncertain future, as City Council votes on the Arena, and as a new old administration takes office, we ar...
12/06/2024

โ€œAs we face an uncertain future, as City Council votes on the Arena, and as a new old administration takes office, we are reminded that the arts are vehicles of resistance, and that the work of artists is what fuels that resistance. We will continue to be a place where we can lean into hard discussions, center joy, and continue to leverage our building as a home for our communities.โ€

Thanks to your support, AAI accomplished many milestones this year by successfully launching a new music initiative + festival and presenting three visual exhibitions as well as many public programs that brought our diverse communities together, here in Philadelphia! In 2025, through offerings like our Artist/Activist Fellowship and our Youth Arts Education Programs, AAI will stay true to its roots as a place that empowers artists as social activists and leaders, and continue to build community power.

Check out the link in our bio to read the full letter from Dave Kyu (), our Interim Executive Director, and help us meet our goal of raising $10,000 to keep our building and programs free for our communities ๐Ÿ”—

Only a few tickets left๐Ÿ’ฅDo not miss the iconic  at the LAST stop of her book tour this Saturday evening!!! Celebrating t...
12/06/2024

Only a few tickets left๐Ÿ’ฅDo not miss the iconic at the LAST stop of her book tour this Saturday evening!!!

Celebrating the launch of her viral new memoir, ๐˜โ€™๐˜ฎ ๐˜“๐˜ข๐˜ถ๐˜จ๐˜ฉ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜‰๐˜ฆ๐˜ค๐˜ข๐˜ถ๐˜ด๐˜ฆ ๐˜โ€™๐˜ฎ ๐˜Š๐˜ณ๐˜บ๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜จ, this will be an unforgettable evening of hearing stories from Youngmi, playing fun games, and getting your books signed! Youngmi will be joined by , a storyteller and two-time Emmy nominated Senior Writer/Producer at NBCUniversal.

Tickets are pay what you wish! Seats will be first come, first serve for General Admission. Guaranteed Seat is $40 and comes with a complimentary drink and a copy of the book.

Grab the last few tickets at the link in our bio and see you this Saturday ๐Ÿ‘‹

Our beloved Fall exhibition ๐™๐™จ๐™š๐™จ ๐™ค๐™› ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š ๐™„๐™ง๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™ž๐™˜ by  is open for ONE MORE WEEK! Come check out the exhibition one last tim...
12/04/2024

Our beloved Fall exhibition ๐™๐™จ๐™š๐™จ ๐™ค๐™› ๐™ฉ๐™๐™š ๐™„๐™ง๐™ค๐™ฃ๐™ž๐™˜ by is open for ONE MORE WEEK! Come check out the exhibition one last time and do not miss the exciting Closing Party next Saturday (12/14) at 7PM, featuring musical contributions from frequent collaborators , , and . This musical trio has a solid track record of turning any space into a dance floor from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to the Wave Farms of the Catskills, so be sure to wear your dancing shoes!

Tickets are Pay What You Wish. Register to the event at the link in our bio ๐Ÿ”—

We are so excited to announce another year of SOUND TYPE Writers Residency after an incredible year of unforgettable mus...
12/03/2024

We are so excited to announce another year of SOUND TYPE Writers Residency after an incredible year of unforgettable music experiences and meaningful discussions with our first year cohort!

Apply to a paid opportunity to connect with other writers and musicians about inspiring and thoughtful music that will be part of next yearโ€™s SOUND TYPE Music Festival! The goal of the Music Writers Residency is to support emerging and established writers by inviting professional writers for coaching, and connect the cohort to AAIโ€™s diverse music offering in 2025. Any level of experience for music writing is welcome and we strongly encourage submissions from those who identify as Black, Indigenous, person of color and/or LGBTQ+

Learn more about the residency and apply at the link in bio ๐Ÿ”—

SATURDAY (12/7) โžก๏ธ Come spend the full day at AAI and enjoy TWO events this weekend!๐ŸŽก๐‚๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐…๐š๐ข๐ซ, ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ-๐Ÿ’๐๐ŒFeaturing loc...
12/02/2024

SATURDAY (12/7) โžก๏ธ Come spend the full day at AAI and enjoy TWO events this weekend!

๐ŸŽก๐‚๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐…๐š๐ข๐ซ, ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ-๐Ÿ’๐๐Œ
Featuring local artists and makers alongside the inspiring creations from our talented youth education program students, this is your one-stop destination for unique holiday shopping, delicious food, and family-friendly activities, while supporting AAIโ€™s education programs!

๐Ÿ“š๐๐จ๐จ๐ค ๐„๐ฏ๐ž๐ง๐ญ: ๐˜๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ฆ๐ข ๐Œ๐š๐ฒ๐ž๐ซ, ๐Ÿ•-๐Ÿ—๐๐Œ
One night only! Do not miss the ICONIC as we celebrate the launch of her memoir, ๐™„โ€™๐™ข ๐™‡๐™–๐™ช๐™œ๐™๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ ๐˜ฝ๐™š๐™˜๐™–๐™ช๐™จ๐™š ๐™„โ€™๐™ข ๐˜พ๐™ง๐™ฎ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ! Come hang out with Youngmi and get your book signed! Tickets are pay-what-you-wish, but due to the high popularity of this event, seats will be first come, first serve for General Admission. Guaranteed Seat is $40 and comes with a complimentary drink and a copy of the book!

โž•PLUS, will showcase a pop up art show and market on the second floor (12-4PM) to benefit HEAL Palestine, an organization dedicated to providing both urgent and long term support for Gaza youth.

We are so excited for this robust weekend! Register to the events at the link in our bio ๐Ÿ”—

Wednesday (12/18) 7PM๐Ÿ’ฅAAIโ€™s LAST program of the year will present an unforgettable evening of live music and dance party...
11/27/2024

Wednesday (12/18) 7PM๐Ÿ’ฅAAIโ€™s LAST program of the year will present an unforgettable evening of live music and dance party with the incredible Foodman ()

Foodman (aka ้ฃŸๅ“ใพใคใ‚Š / Takahide Higuchi) is a Japanese electronic producer, DJ, and painter, recognized as a leading name in Japanโ€™s footwork and juke scene. His ever-evolving and mutating musical vocabulary draws from every kind of music he stumbles across, from Chicago footwork to Okinawan folk music of his roots, ambient to J-pop, Talvin Singhโ€™s Indian classical music/drum โ€˜nโ€™ bass fusion to classic video game soundtracks, then twists them all with his playful psychedelia. This show will open with DJ ๐Ÿ”Š

Come celebrate with us! Get your ticket today at the link in bio ๐Ÿ”—

We are excited to be in Milwaukee next weekโœจ Find us at  upcoming Monday (12/2) 5PM CT for a panel discussion about stra...
11/26/2024

We are excited to be in Milwaukee next weekโœจ Find us at upcoming Monday (12/2) 5PM CT for a panel discussion about strategies for engaging with artist legacies through the respective projects and multifaceted practices of curators, writers, and scholars.

This conversation will bring together four curators, writers, and scholars, including AAIโ€™s curator Joyce Chung as well as Anne Ishii, Andrea Andersson (Rivers Institute for Contemporary Art & Thought) and Jordan Stein (Cushion Works). AAI will present a live music performance after the conversation!
Visit and RSVP at the link in their bio!

๐Ÿ’˜๐Ÿ’˜๐Ÿ’˜YOUNGMI MAYER, our favorite comedian + milfadelphia icon, returns to AAI, this time as the author of her viral memoir...
11/22/2024

๐Ÿ’˜๐Ÿ’˜๐Ÿ’˜YOUNGMI MAYER, our favorite comedian + milfadelphia icon, returns to AAI, this time as the author of her viral memoir, ๐™„โ€™๐™ข ๐™‡๐™–๐™ช๐™œ๐™๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ ๐˜ฝ๐™š๐™˜๐™–๐™ช๐™จ๐™š ๐™„โ€™๐™ข ๐˜พ๐™ง๐™ฎ๐™ž๐™ฃ๐™œ, for the FINAL stop on her book tour!!! Do not miss this very special (and probably very funny) evening to share time with and get your copies signed ๐Ÿ˜‰

The event is pay what you wish, but due to the high demand, seats will be first come, first serve for General Admission. Guaranteed Seat is $40 and comes with a complimentary drink and a copy of the book. Tickets are selling fast! Reserve yours today at the link in bio ๐Ÿ”—

Extended deadlineโ€ผ๏ธDue to a shift in the focus of the Spring 2025 exhibition, we renamed our 2025 artist fellowship to t...
11/21/2024

Extended deadlineโ€ผ๏ธDue to a shift in the focus of the Spring 2025 exhibition, we renamed our 2025 artist fellowship to the Artist/Activist Fellowship and extended the deadline to December 8, 2024!

We are seeking artist and activist collectives to serve as fellows during the Spring 2025 exhibition. The exhibition will highlight the intersection between artistic practice and social activism, with a specific interest in Afro-Asian community solidarity.

Learn more about this fellowship opportunity at the link in bio and submit your application before 12/8! ๐Ÿ”—

Address

1219 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA
19107

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+12155570455

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CREATING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE POWER OF ART

Connecting cultural expression and social change, Asian Arts Initiative uses art as a vehicle to explore the diverse experiences of all communities which include Asian Americans.

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. Through exhibitions, performances, and community projects, we provide an inclusive gathering place for conversation and exchange of ideas.

Located in Philadelphiaโ€™s Chinatown North, Asian Arts Initiative is a multidisciplinary arts center offering exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, youth workshops, and a community gathering space. Here, all of us can view and create art that reflects our lives, and think critically, creatively about the future we want to build for our communities.

To donate to the Asian Arts Initiative, please visit: https://asianartsinitiative.org/join-initiative