THANK YOU TO EVERYONE INVOLVED IN MAKING USAAF 2023 A SUCCESS!

SEE OUR USAAF 2023 RECAP HERE

CHECK OUT OUR MEDIA AND PRESS FROM THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

USAAF 2023 YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

USAAF X SUNDAY STREETS

EAST WIND ZINE: JADE WAVE RISING

USA INQUIRER: REIMAGINING HORIZONS

APEX EXPRESS: YEU NGUYEN - MARISSA MACAYAN

SF CHRONICLE: SUNDAY STREETS TENDERLOIN

SF STANDARD: THE TENDERLOIN SHINES BRIGHTLY

DO THE BAY: REIMAGINING HORIZONS

SF CHRONICLE: A STORY OF RESISTANCE

CANE Archive Project

APICC is proud to fiscally sponsor the CANE 50th Anniversary event and Archive Project aka the CANE Archive Project.

Donations to the CANE Archive Project can be made on this page through APICC as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

The Committee Against Nihonmachi Eviction (CANE) formed in 1973 to fight the San  Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s (RDA) plan to  transform Japantown into a tourist trap by destroying the historic community, evicting its residents and shutting down small businesses.  

A grassroots uprising arose in opposition to RDA’s plans, fueled by the Japantown residents and small businesses' stand of “We Won’t Move!”  This stand and determination to fight inspired students and the broader Japanese American community to join CANE and engendered broad City-wide support. CANE was a multi-generational, multi-racial organization composed of Japantown residents and small businesses and the broader Japanese American community.

The CANE 50th Anniversary Planning Committee formed in January 2021, to organize the 50th Anniversary event in 2023; publish the CANE Story from the perspective of those involved; and to collect and archive CANE documents and memorabilia.

Your donation will support the CANE 50th Anniversary Planning Committee to fulfill these goals.

*For check donations, please write checks to 'Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center' with 'CANE Archive Project' in the memo. Please include a return mailing address or email address to send the donation acknowledgement to.

Send checks to the address below:

APICC
934 Brannan Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

for more information about CANE's events please visit: https://cane50.org/

APICC is proud to fiscally sponsor REALSOUL. Donations to REALSOUL can be made on this page through APICC as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Organizational Mission
REALSOUL is a curriculum-based arts organization, founded in San Francisco. We develop creative offerings that shed light on the intersectional stories of Asian America and other BIPOC communities. We believe learning doesn’t stop in the classrooms, but continues in workplaces, living rooms, around campfires, and beyond.

About Francis Wong

Few musicians are as accomplished as Francis Wong, considered one of "the great saxophonists of his generation" by the late jazz critic Phil Elwood. A prolific recording artist, Wong is featured on more than forty titles as a leader and sideman. For over two decades he has performed his innovative brand of jazz and creative music for audiences in North America, Asia, and Europe with such with such luminaries as Jon Jang, Tatsu Aoki, Genny Lim,William Roper, Bobby Bradford, John Tchicai, James Newton, Joseph Jarman, Don Moye and the late Glenn Horiuchi.

But to simply call the Bay Area native a musician would be to ignore his pioneering leadership in communities throughout Northern California. Wong's imaginative career straddles roles as varied as performing artist, youth mentor, composer, artistic director, community activist, non-profit organization manager, consultant, music producer, and academic lecturer. Key vehicles for his work are Asian Improv aRts, the company he co-founded with Jon Jang and as a Senior Fellow at the Wildflowers Institute. In addition, Wong was a California Arts Council Artist in Residence from 1992 through 1998, and a Meet The Composer New Resident in 2000-2003. In 2000-2001 he was a Rockefeller Next Generation Leadership Fellow. He has also been a guest member of the faculty at San Francisco State University (1996-98) and at University of California at Santa Cruz (1996-2001).

”I choose for my work to build community and to seek out how I, as an artist can meet the challenges that our community faces. In the Asian American community, the biggest challenge is continuity of culture and the impact of assimilation. Through music, I envision a way to create continuity through the integration of tradition and innovation.

Francis Current project you can support!:

Remembrance Rising: In Tribute to the World War II Comfort Women is an interdisciplinary work featuring poetry, dance, and music in dialogue with the public art piece Comfort Women Column of Strength Memorial in St. Mary’s Square in San Francisco Chinatown.

Featuring composer/saxophonist Francis Wong, dancer and poet Lynn Huang, dancer Flora Hyoin Kim Han, tuba performer William Roper, violinist Sandy Poindexter, and multi-percussionist Karen Stackpole. Parallel to the performing arts work is a companion zine set, created and illustrated by Katie Quan, focusing on the experiences of comfort women, Jan Ruff-O’Herne and Maria Rosa Henson.

Both projects are made possible through the inaugural Comfort Women Research and Creative Scholarship Small Grant Awards program. Presented by Asian Improv aRts, API Cultural Center, and Lenora Lee Dance.

There will be one indoor performance at the Manilatown Heritage Center on Friday 7-8pm 5/19 and one outdoor performance at the site of the Comfort Women Memorial in St. Mary’s that will be video recorded at 2pm-3pm on Saturday 5/20.

Admission free!
Please register here on Eventbrite

Friday, May 19, 7-8pm, at Manilatown Heritage Foundation (868 Kearny St., SF)
Saturday, May 20, 2-3pm, at St. Mary’s Square

Welcome to the online calendar for the 26th Annual United States of Asian America Festival: REIMAGINING HORIZONS! In celebration of API Heritage Month, APICC is excited to present in-person and virtual programming this APRIL-JUNE, 2023.

Festival events listed below are organized by type of presentation. All times are listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST). Events with an asterisk (*) are featured artists of APICC and USAAF 2023. 

ACCESSIBILITY

Please check each event page for specific accessibility options and contact information.

 All in-person programs and events are wheelchair accessible. 
 This icon indicates which festival events will have ASL interpretation. 
• For any inquiries about specific programs or event locations, please reach out to [email protected]. 

This online calendar is best viewed on a desktop computer. Click through each link or image for more details on each program.

Click below to skip to a section:

 JADE WAVE RISING   •   REIMAGINING HORIZONS SHOWCASE   •   IN-PERSON & ONLINE EVENTS

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

Click above to view the full calendar of USAAF 2023 events organized by date.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Kick off the Festival with JADE WAVE RISING

Kick off the festival with the opening to APICC's annual visual arts exhibition

Healing Home with 500 CAPP Street and CAAM

500 Capp Street, Asian Pacific Cultural Center (APICC), and Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) co-presents
Being, Belonging & Beyond - SF Bay Area AAPI Dance Film Festival.

Cultivating Possibilities with USAAF: REIMAGINING HORIZONS

19th Annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival

QWOCMAP will premiere 30 films in 6 screenings at the FREE
19th annual International Queer Women of Color Film Festival, June 9-11, 2023.
From the lush sageness of memory, movement, and Indigenous traditions of environmental stewardship,
to the transformation of grief, and the mycorrhizal relationships between love, collective care,
and disability justice, these films liberate spores of sovereignty and survivance.

Friday Opening Night Screening - Fri, June 9 @ 7PM-9:30PM
Saturday Featured Screening - Sat, June 10 @ 1PM-2:30PM
Saturday Featured Screening - Sat, June 10 @ 3PM-6PM
Saturday Centerpiece Screening - Sat, June 10 @ 8PM-10PM
Sunday Centerpiece Screening - Sun, June 11 @ 1PM-3:45PM
Sunday Closing Night Screening - Sun, June 11 @ 5PM-7:45PM
Online Encore Screening - TBD

All films are Subtitled for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and
Audio Described for the Blind and Low Vision, and ASL interpretation
will be provided along with many other forms of accessibility.

IN-PERSON & ONLINE EVENTS

More programs and events from this year's festival artists!

Genny Lim Memory, Meaning and Memoir Workshop Fri, April 28 - Virtual Event	Leslie Damaso SIRENA Fri, May 5 & Sat, May 6 @ Bindlestiff Studio	Genny Lim The Diaspora Writers' Group Sat, May 6 - Virtual Event
When Eyes Speak: Indian Choreography Festival Space, Place and Ancestry Fri, May 12-May 14 @ Dance Mission Theatre and Mission District	VC Tang New Ingredients: A Virtual Storytelling Curry Tamale Cook-Along Mon, May 15 - Virtual Event	Family Style Collective Shoes Off Fri, May 12-June 12 @ 475 Haight Street
pateldanceworks fault lines Fri, May 19 & Sat, May 20 @ Fort Funston	Lena Chen Hidden Histories, Radical Reimaginings Sun, May 21 - Virtual Event	Harvey Lozada     “Son of Samoa” Community Film Screening           TBD @ Roxie Theater
Ava Koohbor ffff: A Noise Cappella Fri, May 26 @ SPACE 124	Johnny Huy Nguyễn* No Country For Mother Fri, May 26, Sat, May 27 & Sun, May 28 @ Joe Goode Annex	Eth-Noh-Tec Strong Like Bamboo: Stories of Resiliencefor Healing in the Era of Anti-Asian Violence Sun, May 28 @ Oakland Asian Cultural Center
King LOTUS BOY, Hennessy Williams, OBSIDIENNE OBSURD TRANSformASIANS: A Transgender & Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Showcase Fri, June 2 @ OASIS	Josh Icban To Cross: Aganakake Tatang Ko TBD (This event has been postponed. Please check back for updates!) @ Bindlestiff Studios	Queer Women of Color Media Arts Project 19th Annual Queer Women of Color Film Festival Fri, June 9 - Presidio Theater
Theresa Calpotura Musikang Halo-Halo: Starting to Mix Sun, June 11 - Virtual Event	Hella Pinay Hella Pinay Radio IRL: Pride Edition Thu, June 15 - Virtual Event

#USAAF2023 #ReimaginingHorizons

APICC STAFF

Vinay Patel, Executive Director
Melanie Elvena, Artistic Director
Jo Alvarado, Program Manager
TJ Basa, Office Manager
Angelo DelArte, Program Intern

Den Legaspi, ARC and TYPE Design, Graphic Designer

USAAF 2023 JURORS

Johnny Huy Nguyen, dancer/choreographer
Susie Kagami, KOHO SF Japantown 
Raj Rao, Parivar Bay Area

USAAF 2023 Designs by Den Design

Stay Up to Date

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to participate in USAAF:

• Pacific Islander and/or Asian American artists must be centralized within the artistic creation process, and constitute a majority of participating artists.
• Lead producing artist(s) must be based in the Bay Area (if outside Bay Area, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected] to assess participation).
• Lead producing artist(s) must be over 18, but artists participating in the program can be all ages.
• Lead producing artist(s) must demonstrate the ability to produce their own event (i.e., including managing and executing all production, creative, technical, promotional, etc. responsibilities).
• Events must occur in May through June 15, 2023.
• Agree to attend APICC’s professional development workshops (it is highly recommended that you attend all workshops).
• Be able to meet all marketing and artistic deadlines (see 'Important Dates' on USAAF 2023 page).
• Be a legal resident of the United States (if you are not a legal US resident, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected] to assess participation).
   

LEVELS OF SUPPORT

Featured Events and the annual visual arts exhibition are proactively selected through internal APICC processes.

Artists or groups are encouraged to apply to USAAF within one of the following four (4) levels of support:

PROMOTIONAL EVENT

For artists, groups, or organizations who primarily (or only) need promotional assistance.

• Artists self-produce virtually broadcasted events
• APICC provides online promotional support only
• Artists eligible for free workshops and 4 hours of 1:1 consultation

 
SELF-PRODUCED VIRTUAL EVENT

For producing artists, groups or organizations who would prefer to produce an online event from their own space.

• Artists self-produce event in their own space to be broadcasted virtually
• Artists responsible for finding their own technical staff
• APICC provides promotional support and virtual account platform upon request (Zoom Pro and potentially other online streaming platforms)
• APICC provides venue for streaming at Bindlestiff upon request
• Artists eligible for free workshops and 4 hours of 1:1 consultation

 
$3000 total award in artist and tech/production fees to selected producing artist

 
SELF-PRODUCED IN-PERSON EVENT

For producing artists, groups or organizations who would prefer to produce an event with an in-person audience and a virtual livestream or recording.

• Artists self-produce event at a physical venue with an in-person audience
• Artist may choose to broadcast event virtually or release a recording following the event
• Artists responsible for finding their own technical staff
• APICC provides promotional support and virtual account platform upon request (Zoom Pro and potentially other online streaming platforms)
• Artists eligible for free workshops and 4 hours of 1:1 consultation

$5000 total award in artist, tech, venue and production fees to selected producing artist

 
CO-PRESENTED OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

Artists, groups or organizations interested in presenting a pre-produced 15-20 minute performing arts piece at an outdoor showcase presented by APICC may apply for this category.

• Artists produce and present a 15-20 minute performance at an outdoor showcase produced by APICC
• Performing arts piece may involve dance or movement work, literary reading, music or concert set or any other type of pre-produced artistic presentation suited for an outdoor presentation
• Outdoor venue/APICC will provide technical staff and support
• APICC provides promotional, documentation and box office support

$1000 total award in artist fees to selected producing artist

When filling out the USAAF 2023 online application, please make sure to have prepared:

ARTIST/GROUP INFORMATION

• Name of Artist/Group
• Contact Name (If different from Artist/Group name)
• Pronouns
• Phone Number
• Email
• Mailing Address
• Website
• Links to Social Media Profiles
• Whether or not you have participated as a producing artist in USAAF before
   

EVENT INFORMATION

• Name of Event
• Type of Event (Check all that apply)
• Event Length & Duration
• Event Date(s)
• Award level you would like to be considered for your event (Self-Produced Virtual, Self-Produced In-Person, Co-Presented Outdoor Performance, Co-Presented Outdoor Production, Promoted)
  • Prior to answering, please review a description of all award categories and levels of support here
     

SHORT EVENT DESCRIPTION

In 200 words or less, describe your proposed event including the event title, type of event, topic explored, and number of anticipated artists and audience members. As an example, “This proposal requests $(AMOUNT) to support (TITLE), a (TYPE OF EVENT i.e., performance piece, literary reading, exhibition, etc.) exploring (TOPIC) and featuring (NUMBER OF ARTISTS) artists that will attract an estimated audience of (ESTIMATED AUDIENCE NUMBER).”

PROJECT PROPOSAL

In 500 words or less, please:

1. Describe the public event or program that you plan to showcase and your plan to promote and publicize it
2. Explain how the subject(s) of your program(s) and/or event(s) focus on themes related to Pacific Islander and Asian American themes and culture
3. Explain how this work is connected to this year’s theme - Reimagining Horizons:
   • How can we (re)discover and (re)construct the horizons of possibility for our selves, our communities, and our dreams?
   • As we reckon with newfound insights and intentions post-pandemic, what does it mean to embrace abundance and celebrate our expansiveness?
   • How can AAPI visionaries imagine a future where we arrive beside, and in solidarity with, our BIPOC communities?
   • How do we harness and honor our collective power socially and politically as AAPIs?

 
BUDGET

• Please provide a budget for your event/program outlining proposed income and expenses. Feel free to use this Budget Template and Sample Budget.
• Include any additional income sources such as current and/or pending grants, fundraising campaigns, etc.
   

GROUP OR ARTIST BIO & RESUME/CV

Please provide relevant proof of capacity to successfully produce a well-organized and well-attended cultural event or performance similar to that which is being proposed in the form of:

• Biography
• Resume/CV including an exhibitions, performances, productions, etc.
• Sizes of Audiences for various past performances

GROUP/ARTIST STATEMENT

In 500 words or less, tell us about your mission, values, philosophy, modes of creation and/or collaboration, artistic inspirations, etc.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MATERIALS

Please provide minimum 3 additional support materials or work samples that will be useful for the selection committee to get to know your work and your ability to produce well-organized, well-attended events featuring skillful art or meaningful discussion. We will accept:

• High quality images of your work and past events. Please upload up to 3 high resolution images in .jpg or .jpeg format. The images must be at least 4”x6” or 6”x4”. You may also provide a link to your online portfolio.
• An excerpt of your script or literary excerpt. Please upload files in .doc or .pdf format that are no more than 3 pages in length.
• Links to online video clips of your work. Please provide online links to high quality videos that are 3 minutes in length or less. You may also provide video clips with notated time segments in the "Special Instructions" for the selection committee to review. For password protected videos, please provide a guest password in the "Special Instructions".
• Press coverage in the form of full articles about your work.
• Reviews and Testimonials from audience members or other credible sources.

UNITED STATES OF ASIAN AMERICA FESTIVAL 2023

REIMAGINING HORIZONS

The Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center of San Francisco announces and celebrates the 26th Annual United States of Asian America Festival.

Each year, the United States of Asian American Festival (USAAF) presents up to 20 different programs reflecting the artistic accomplishments and cultural diversity of San Francisco’s Pacific Islander and Asian American communities. USAAF showcases artists representing a diverse range of ethnic and cultural groups and aims to heighten the visibility of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) artists working in all disciplines - theater, music, dance, film, literature, visual arts, and more! Our goal is to nurture and empower these groups to be self-sufficient while providing the support they need to grow. 

This year’s USAAF is funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, California Arts Council, Zellerbach Family Foundation and startsmall. 

This year’s theme, REIMAGINING HORIZONS, asks us to reimagine and reconstruct the bridges between before and beyond. It acknowledges the questions, uncertainties, and processes that arise as we create new ways of being and belonging in a critically transformed world. The festival honors the constant negotiation of the past and present so that we may build towards our collective and generative futures. Artists are invited to explore the following:

• How can we (re)discover and (re)construct the horizons of possibility for our selves, our communities, and our dreams?
• As we reckon with newfound insights and intentions post-pandemic, what does it mean to embrace abundance and celebrate our expansiveness?
• How can AAPI visionaries imagine a future where we arrive beside, and in solidarity with, our BIPOC communities?
• How do we harness and honor our collective power socially and politically as AAPIs?

WORKSHOP SLIDES

FAQ

FESTIVAL ARTISTS

APICC is proud to announce the names of the artists participating in the 26th annual United States of Asian America Festival:

Artists and programs in this year's festival were selected by a panel of jurors including:

Johnny Huy Nguyen, dancer/choreographer
Susie Kagami, KOHO SF Japantown
Raj Rao, Parivar Bay Area

Stay tuned for program and events produced by these artists to take place in celebration of API Heritage, this April-June 2023!

USAAF 2023 CALENDAR

Click to view the FULL CALENDAR or the full list of events organized by date on the CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE and sign up to volunteer!

FULL CALENDAR   •   CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE   •   SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

CALL FOR PROPOSALS NOW CLOSED

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Individual artists, art groups, and art organizations are welcome to submit applications for art events occurring in May-June 15, 2022.

FESTIVAL THEME

Subject(s) of your program(s) and/or event(s) focus on themes related to Pacific Islander and Asian American themes and culture, connecting specifically to this year’s theme, Reimagining Horizons:

• How can we (re)discover and (re)construct the horizons of possibility for our selves, our communities, and our dreams?
• As we reckon with newfound insights and intentions post-pandemic, what does it mean to embrace abundance and celebrate our expansiveness?
• How can AAPI visionaries imagine a future where we arrive beside, and in solidarity with, our BIPOC communities?
• How do we harness and honor our collective power socially and politically as AAPIs?

 
USAAF SUPPORTS

All mediums of art and culture (e.g., theater, storytelling, stand-up comedy, dance, performance art, solo performance, literary, panel discussion, music, visual art exhibition, performance poetry, film, spoken word, variety showcase, multimedia productions, multi-art productions, etc).

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to participate in USAAF:

• Pacific Islander and/or Asian American artists must be centralized within the artistic creation process, and constitute a majority of participating artists.
• Lead producing artist(s) must be based in the Bay Area (if outside Bay Area, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected] to assess participation).
• Lead producing artist(s) must be over 18, but artists participating in the program can be all ages.
• Lead producing artist(s) must demonstrate the ability to produce their own event (i.e., including managing and executing all production, creative, technical, promotional, etc. responsibilities).
• Events must occur in May through June 15, 2022.
• Agree to attend APICC’s professional development workshops (it is highly recommended that you attend all workshops, dates listed below).
• Be able to meet all marketing and artistic deadlines (see below).
• Be a legal resident of the United States (if you are not a legal US resident, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected] to assess participation).

 
USAAF DOES NOT FUND

• Benefits and fundraisers.
• Events not open or accessible to the general public. 

 
LEVELS OF SUPPORT

This year's award categories and levels of support have been adapted with consideration of health and safety guidelines around public gatherings at this time. 

Click here to review the new award levels and the types of events that will be supported.

DEADLINE & SUBMISSION FORMAT

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE AT 11:59PM PST ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2021. No late submissions will be accepted. All files must be submitted through the online submission form.

If you have any problems with the submission form, please contact APICC's Artistic Director Melanie Elvena directly at [email protected]. No phone, post-mail, or in-person submissions will be accepted. Incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions will also NOT be accepted.

Students and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

It's recommended you draft your proposal on a separate document before submitting it through the application.

Click here to view a checklist of important items required to submit through the application.

IMPORTANT DATES

Application Q&A #1 – Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 5:30-6:30 PM PST
Application Q&A #2 – Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 3:00-4:00 PM PST
Application Deadline – Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 11:59PM PST
Artists Notified – December 17, 2022

For selected producing artists:
Mandatory Orientation – Early January (Specific Date TBD)
Contract Deadline – Friday, December 30, 2022
Marketing Copy Deadline – Friday, February 24, 2023
Workshop Dates – January-March 2023 (Specific Dates TBD)
Festival Kick-Off – Friday, April 28, 2023 (Open to the public)

 
APPLICATION WORKSHOPS & FAQ

We have scheduled two application workshops:
WORKSHOP #1: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 5:30-6:30 PM PST.
WORKSHOP #2: Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 3:00-4:00 PM PST.

Missed our Application Workshops? Check out our Presentation Slides and our FAQ.

If you still have questions about your application, please contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected]

Graphic containing image of the APICC team: Vinay Patel, Melanie Elvena and Diana Li.
(Photo by Joyce Xi)

The Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center is seeking a passionate individual interested in fulfilling the roll of our next Program Manager! We're grateful to Diana Li, who, for the last FIVE years, has coordinated artists and supported the production and promotion of APICC's programs and events, including the annual United States of Asian America Festival. As Diana moves on to further her role at the Asian American Women Artists Association, APICC looks forward to expanding our community in meeting new candidates to join our team.

Festival Recap

PRESS & PUBLICATIONS

WATCH ONLINE

USAAF 2022 YouTube Playlist

Including videos from the Grow Our Souls opening, Generations of Power showcase performances, Realms of Courage Composers Panels and Wise Women:

The Asian American Arts Network of the Bay Area serves individual artists and both fiscally sponsored and tax-exempt non-profit arts organizations located in the Bay Area's 9 County region. We currently provide services to artists and groups located in San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Alameda Counties.

The network will convene meetings to discuss issues facing the Asian American arts community, process and develop strategies towards positive change, and create a safe space for our community to gather and express ourselves.

Bay Area API Arts Spotlight: Macro Waves Collective

In this segment, we shine a spotlight on the talented members of the Asian American Arts Network of the Bay Area, a group formed to elevate AAPI visionaries, storytellers and cultural organizations shaping the AAPI artistic landscape of the Bay Area’s 9 county region.


Macro Waves, co-founded by AAPI artists Robin Birdd David and Jeffrey Yip, is an Oakland-based artist collective that produces experiences focusing on social equity through conceptual art, new media, and design.

In their latest exhibition entitled “Make this Last Forever”, created during the Artists in Residence Program at Recology San Francisco, the collective utilizes the framework of archiving to make sense of the intergenerational stories of movement and transition held in the objects we inherit–whether the things passed down directly by immigrant elders or our collective responsibility to contend with the growing mass of consumer waste.

They explore: Who is responsible for your things after you’re gone? And how do we honor and contend with the belongings of previous generations–especially when they’ve felt the need to hold onto everything as a means of survival? 

Macro Waves was the Featured Artist for the Asian Pacific Island Cultural Center’s 25th Annual United States of Asian America Festival, one of the recipients of the California Arts Council’s 2022 Impact Project Grant, and in 2020 participated in the Youkobo Artist Residency in Tokyo, Japan. The collective has exhibited at SFMOMA, SWIM Gallery, YBCA, SFAC Gallery, SOMArts, ICA SF, Lightbox NYC, and Á Space Hanoi.

Visit the Art Exhibition: on Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 from 5 PM – 7:30 PM, and hear an artist talk by Macro Waves at 6:30 PM.

Location: Recology Art Studios 503 Tunnel Avenue, San Francisco

Admission is free and open to the public, no reservation required. All ages are welcome and the site is wheelchair accessible.

Welcome to the online calendar for the 25th Annual United States of Asian America Festival: Generations of Power! In celebration of API Heritage Month and the 25th anniversary of the festival, APICC is excited to present outdoor and virtual programming this MAY-JUNE, 2022.

Festival events listed below are organized by type of presentation. All times are listed in Pacific Standard Time (PST). Events with an asterisk (*) are featured artists of APICC and USAAF 2022. 

ACCESSIBILITY

Please check each event page for specific accessibility options and contact information.

 All in-person programs and events are wheelchair accessible. 
 ASL interpretation available at all festival events. 
• For events hosted at the Asian Art Museum, please check their Accessibility page to see a full list of accommodations.
• For any inquiries about specific programs or event locations, please reach out to [email protected]. 

This online calendar is best viewed on a desktop computer. Click through each link or image for more details on each program.

Click below to skip to a section:

 GROW OUR SOULS   •   25 YEARS OF USAAF   •   GENERATIONS OF POWER SHOWCASE   •   IN-PERSON & ONLINE EVENTS

CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

Click above to view the full calendar of USAAF 2022 events organized by date.

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

KICK OFF THE FESTIVAL WITH GROW OUR SOULS 

Kick off the festival with the opening to APICC's annual visual arts exhibition

Celebrating 25 Years of USAAF with Generations of Power

First Voice: Songs for J-Town Sat, Apr 23 @ Presidio Theatre World premiere of Emmy Award-winning jazz innovator, composer and performer Mark Izu’s Songs for J-Town	Generations of Power Showcase Sat, May 14 @ Japantown Peace Plaza Featuring Asian American dance, music and poetry performances. (Scroll down for the full lineup)
KSW50: To Imagine is to Exist Gala Sat, June 11, 5pm @ SF Mint Celebrate Kearny Street Workshop's 50 Year Anniversary!	Expansions // Horizons Thu, June 30, 6pm @ Asian Art Museum Asian Improv aRts' 35th Anniversary Celebration Festival

GENERATIONS OF POWER SHOWCASE

IN-PERSON & ONLINE EVENTS

More programs and events from this year's festival artists!

#USAAF2022 #GenerationsofPower

APICC STAFF

Vinay Patel, Executive Director
Melanie Elvena, Artistic Director
Diana Li, Programs & Communications Manager
TJ Basa, Programs & Communications Assistant

APICC BOARD

Janey Madamba, Board Member
Yukiya Jerry Waki, Board Member
Pamela Wu Kochiyama, Board Member

USAAF 2022 JURORS

Aureen Almario, educator, artist and Artistic Director for Bindlestiff Studio
Ravi Chandra, San Francisco based M.D. psychiatrist, writer and compassion educator
Yukiya Jerry Waki, spoken word artist, writer, creator and host of The Buffet Show podcast

USAAF 2022 Designs by ARC & TYPE

Stay Up to Date

Sign up for our NEWSLETTER and follow us on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER

UNITED STATES OF ASIAN AMERICA FESTIVAL 2022

GENERATIONS OF POWER

 
The Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center of San Francisco announces and celebrates the 25th Annual United States of Asian America Festival.

Each year, the United States of Asian American Festival (USAAF) presents up to 20 different programs reflecting the artistic accomplishments and cultural diversity of San Francisco’s Pacific Islander and Asian American communities. USAAF showcases artists representing a diverse range of ethnic and cultural groups and aims to heighten the visibility of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) artists working in all disciplines - theater, music, dance, film, literature, visual arts, and more! Our goal is to nurture and empower these groups to be self-sufficient while providing the support they need to grow. 

This year’s USAAF is funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, California Arts Council, Zellerbach Family Foundation and startsmall. 

In celebration of USAAF and APICC's 25th Anniversary, this year’s theme, Generations of Power, explores the following:

• How can we harness the legacies of power that have been built to (re)tend the soil, seeds of yesterday and tomorrow for AAPI communities?
• How is AAPI power rooted in cultivating solidarity among our BIPOC communities and how do our communities intersect?

Photo by Marie Fontejon: Singers on the TNT SideCaraoke mic belt out the last song of the evening at the USAAF 2021 event at Kapwa Gardens. 

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USAAF 2022 CALENDAR   •   FESTIVAL ARTISTS   •   WORKSHOPS   •   CALL FOR PROPOSALS (NOW CLOSED)

USAAF 2022 CALENDAR

Click to view the FULL CALENDAR or the full list of events organized by date on the CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE and sign up to volunteer!

FULL CALENDAR   •   CALENDAR-AT-A-GLANCE   •   SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

FESTIVAL ARTISTS

APICC is proud to announce the names of the artists participating in the 25th annual United States of Asian America Festival:

Artists and programs in this year's festival were selected by a panel of jurors including:

Aureen Almario, educator, artist and Artistic Director for Bindlestiff Studio
Ravi Chandra, San Francisco based M.D. psychiatrist, writer and compassion educator
Yukiya Jerry Waki, spoken word artist, writer, creator and host of The Buffet Show podcast

Stay tuned for program and events produced by these artists to take place in celebration of API Heritage, this May-June 2022!

PUBLIC WORKSHOPS

Available to all artists and producers participating in USAAF 2022, workshops are also free and open to the public to register.
Click each workshop link below to register and learn more (all times are Pacific Time):

Budget & Fundraising
Wednesday, January 19 @ 6pm

Marketing & Publicity
Monday, January 31 @ 6pm

Hybrid Programming
Monday, February 14 @ 6pm

Taxes for Artists
Monday, March 14 @ 6pm

Land Acknowledgements
(Formerly the Indigenous Protocol workshop, postponed from February)
Monday, March 28 @ 6pm

ASL interpretation and live automatic captions will be available via Zoom for all remaining workshops.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS NOW CLOSED

 
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Monday, November 22, 2021 at 11:59PM PST

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Individual artists, art groups, and art organizations are welcome to submit applications for art events occurring in May-June 15, 2022.

FESTIVAL THEME

Subject(s) of your program(s) and/or event(s) focus on themes related to Pacific Islander and Asian American themes and culture, connecting specifically to this year’s theme, Generations of Power:

• How can we harness the legacies of power that have been built to (re)tend the soil, seeds of yesterday and tomorrow for AAPI communities?
• How is AAPI power rooted in cultivating solidarity among our BIPOC communities and how do our communities intersect?

 
USAAF SUPPORTS

All mediums of art and culture (e.g., theater, storytelling, stand-up comedy, dance, performance art, solo performance, literary, panel discussion, music, visual art exhibition, performance poetry, film, spoken word, variety showcase, multimedia productions, multi-art productions, etc).

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to participate in USAAF:

• Pacific Islander and/or Asian American artists must be centralized within the artistic creation process, and constitute a majority of participating artists.
• Lead producing artist(s) must be based in the Bay Area (if outside Bay Area, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected] to assess participation).
• Lead producing artist(s) must be over 18, but artists participating in the program can be all ages.
• Lead producing artist(s) must demonstrate the ability to produce their own event (i.e., including managing and executing all production, creative, technical, promotional, etc. responsibilities).
• Events must occur in May through June 15, 2022.
• Agree to attend APICC’s professional development workshops (it is highly recommended that you attend all workshops, dates listed below).
• Be able to meet all marketing and artistic deadlines (see below).
• Be a legal resident of the United States (if you are not a legal US resident, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected] to assess participation).

 
USAAF DOES NOT FUND

• Benefits and fundraisers.
• Events not open or accessible to the general public. 

 
LEVELS OF SUPPORT

This year's award categories and levels of support have been adapted with consideration of health and safety guidelines around public gatherings at this time. 

Click here to review the new award levels and the types of events that will be supported.

DEADLINE & SUBMISSION FORMAT

ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE AT 11:59PM PST ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2021. No late submissions will be accepted. All files must be submitted through the online submission form.

If you have any problems with the submission form, please contact APICC's Artistic Director Melanie Elvena directly at [email protected]. No phone, post-mail, or in-person submissions will be accepted. Incomplete or incorrectly formatted submissions will also NOT be accepted.

Students and emerging artists are encouraged to apply.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST

It's recommended you draft your proposal on a separate document before submitting it through the application.

Click here to view a checklist of important items required to submit through the application.

IMPORTANT DATES

1:1 Application Workshops – Available until November 19, 2021 (sign up below)
Application Deadline – Monday, November 22, 2021 at 11:59PM PST
Artists Notified – Week of December 20, 2021

For selected producing artists:
Mandatory Orientation – Thursday, January 6, 2022
Contract Deadline – Thursday, January 6, 2022
Marketing Copy Deadline – Friday, February 25, 2022
Workshop Dates – January-March 2022 (Specific Dates TBD)
Festival Kick-Off – Friday, April 29, 2022 (Open to the public)

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED 

 
APPLICATION WORKSHOPS 

One-on-one application workshops were available by appointment via Calendly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until November 19, 2021. 

When filling out the USAAF 2022 online application, please make sure to have prepared:

ARTIST/GROUP INFORMATION

• Name of Artist/Group
• Contact Name (If different from Artist/Group name)
• Phone Number
• Email
• Mailing Address
• Website
• Links to Social Media Profiles
• Whether or not you have participated as a producing artist in USAAF before
   

EVENT INFORMATION

• Name of Event
• Type of Event (Check all that apply)
• Event Length & Duration
• Event Date(s)
• Award level you would like to be considered for your event (Self-Produced Virtual, Self-Produced In-Person, Co-Presented Outdoor Performance, Co-Presented Outdoor Production, Promoted)
  • Prior to answering, please review a description of all award categories and levels of support here
     

SHORT EVENT DESCRIPTION

In 200 words or less, describe your proposed event including the event title, type of event, topic explored, and number of anticipated artists and audience members. As an example, “This proposal requests $(AMOUNT) to support (TITLE), a (TYPE OF EVENT i.e., performance piece, literary reading, exhibition, etc.) exploring (TOPIC) and featuring (NUMBER OF ARTISTS) artists that will attract an estimated audience of (ESTIMATED AUDIENCE NUMBER).”

PROJECT PROPOSAL

In 500 words or less, please:

1. Describe the public event or program that you plan to showcase and your plan to promote and publicize it
2. Explain how the subject(s) of your program(s) and/or event(s) focus on themes related to Pacific Islander and Asian American themes and culture
3. Explain how this work is connected to this year’s theme - Generations of Power:
   • How can we harness the legacies of power that have been built to (re)tend the soil, seeds of yesterday and tomorrow for AAPI communities?
   • How is AAPI power rooted in cultivating solidarity among our BIPOC communities and how do our communities intersect?

 
BUDGET

• Please provide a budget for your event/program outlining proposed income and expenses. Feel free to use this Budget Template and Sample Budget.
• Include any additional income sources such as current and/or pending grants, fundraising campaigns, etc.
   

GROUP OR ARTIST BIO & RESUME/CV

Please provide relevant proof of capacity to successfully produce a well-organized and well-attended cultural event or performance similar to that which is being proposed in the form of:

• Biography
• Resume/CV including an exhibitions, performances, productions, etc.
• Sizes of Audiences for various past performances

GROUP/ARTIST STATEMENT

In 500 words or less, tell us about your mission, values, philosophy, modes of creation and/or collaboration, artistic inspirations, etc.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT MATERIALS

Please provide minimum 3 additional support materials or work samples that will be useful for the selection committee to get to know your work and your ability to produce well-organized, well-attended events featuring skillful art or meaningful discussion. We will accept:

• High quality images of your work and past events. Please upload up to 3 high resolution images in .jpg or .jpeg format. The images must be at least 4”x6” or 6”x4”. You may also provide a link to your online portfolio.
• An excerpt of your script or literary excerpt. Please upload files in .doc or .pdf format that are no more than 3 pages in length.
• Links to online video clips of your work. Please provide online links to high quality videos that are 3 minutes in length or less. You may also provide video clips with notated time segments in the "Special Instructions" for the selection committee to review. For password protected videos, please provide a guest password in the "Special Instructions".
• Press coverage in the form of full articles about your work.
• Reviews and Testimonials from audience members or other credible sources.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to be eligible to participate in USAAF:

• Pacific Islander and/or Asian American artists must be centralized within the artistic creation process, and constitute a majority of participating artists.
• Lead producing artist(s) must be based in the Bay Area (if outside Bay Area, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected] to assess participation).
• Lead producing artist(s) must be over 18, but artists participating in the program can be all ages.
• Lead producing artist(s) must demonstrate the ability to produce their own event (i.e., including managing and executing all production, creative, technical, promotional, etc. responsibilities).
• Events must occur in May through June 15, 2022.
• Agree to attend APICC’s professional development workshops (it is highly recommended that you attend all workshops).
• Be able to meet all marketing and artistic deadlines (see 'Important Dates' on USAAF 2022 page).
• Be a legal resident of the United States (if you are not a legal US resident, contact Artistic Director Melanie Elvena at [email protected] to assess participation).
   

LEVELS OF SUPPORT

Featured Events and the annual visual arts exhibition are proactively selected through internal APICC processes.

Artists or groups are encouraged to apply to USAAF within one of the following four (4) levels of support:

PROMOTIONAL EVENT

For artists, groups, or organizations who primarily (or only) need promotional assistance.

• Artists self-produce virtually broadcasted events
• APICC provides online promotional support only
• Artists eligible for free workshops and 4 hours of 1:1 consultation

 
SELF-PRODUCED VIRTUAL EVENT

For producing artists, groups or organizations who would prefer to produce an online event from their own space.

• Artists self-produce event in their own space to be broadcasted virtually
• Artists responsible for finding their own technical staff
• APICC provides promotional support and virtual account platform upon request (Zoom Pro and potentially other online streaming platforms)
• APICC provides venue for streaming at Bindlestiff upon request
• Artists eligible for free workshops and 4 hours of 1:1 consultation

 
$2000 total award in artist and tech/production fees to selected producing artist

 
SELF-PRODUCED IN-PERSON EVENT

For producing artists, groups or organizations who would prefer to produce an event with an in-person audience and a virtual livestream or recording.

• Artists self-produce event at a physical venue with an in-person audience
• Artist may choose to broadcast event virtually or release a recording following the event
• Artists responsible for finding their own technical staff
• APICC provides promotional support and virtual account platform upon request (Zoom Pro and potentially other online streaming platforms)
• Artists eligible for free workshops and 4 hours of 1:1 consultation

$4000 total award in artist, tech, venue and production fees to selected producing artist

 
CO-PRESENTED OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

Artists, groups or organizations interested in presenting a pre-produced 15-20 minute performing arts piece at an outdoor showcase presented by APICC may apply for this category.

• Artists produce and present a 15-20 minute performance at an outdoor showcase produced by APICC
• Performing arts piece may involve dance or movement work, literary reading, music or concert set or any other type of pre-produced artistic presentation suited for an outdoor presentation
• Outdoor venue/APICC will provide technical staff and support
• APICC provides promotional, documentation and box office support

$1000 total award in artist fees to selected producing artist
 

CO-PRESENTED OUTDOOR PRODUCTION

Artists, groups or organizations interested in producing their own 45-60 minute program at an outdoor showcase presented by APICC may apply for this category.

• Artists produce and present a 45-60 minute program at an outdoor showcase produced by APICC
• Outdoor venue/APICC will provide technical staff and support
• APICC provides promotional, documentation and box office support
  

 
$3000 total award in artist, tech/production fees to selected producing artist

ABOUT THE WORKSHOPS

Language is not an instrument for exploring the past, but rather a medium.
-Walter Benjamin

The purpose of art is to discover something new in the midst of everyday life. Art creates a space for our human sensibilities to open up and it is the task of the writer to maintain a sense of surprise at what he or she learns in the process of writing. Writing is ritual. It’s the process of summoning up the courage to uncover the elusive truths in our stories, which like stars, are always there, but which often remain hidden, obscured or forgotten, until the spark of our imagination and memory illuminate them. The craft is to clear away the smoke and fog of distracted thinking in order to allow our stories to emerge and speak to us and through us. It is through the archaeology of self-discovery and the moral honesty, clarity and objectivity of our voices that we come to know the past in light of the present. That is the transformative and healing power of writing.

Facilitated by Genny Lim, these weekly workshops provide a communal and open space for the mutual sharing, encouragement and support of our workshop participants’ stories and poems with respect and discretion for confidentiality. Weekly writing prompts and exercises will be given to initiate the writing process and to keep the creative juices flowing. All levels are allowed. The main requirement is that you be open to the organic approach and nature of the class, given the technical limitations of online classes.

ABOUT GENNY LIM

Genny Lim is San Francisco Jazz Poet Laureate emeritus. Her most poetry-music collaboration, Don't Shoot! A Requiem in Black, dedicated to Black Lives Matter premiered at SF Jazz Center in April 2018 with musicians Marshall Trammell, Francis Wong, and rap artist, Equipto. Lim has collaborated with such jazz legends as Max Roach, Herbie Lewis, Olatunji, Eddie Marshall and Bay Area musicians, Broun Fellinis, John Santos, Anthony Brown and the Asian American Orchestra, Francis Wong and Jon Jang. She has appeared at U.S. jazz festivals in the U.S. and toured Venezuela, Italy and Bosnia as a visiting international poet and performer.

Lim's award-winning play Paper Angels, was the first Asian American play aired on PBS’s American Playhouse in 1985 and has been produced throughout the U.S. and in Canada and China. She is author of five poetry collections, Winter Place, Child of War, Paper Gods and Rebels, KRA!, La Morte Del Tempo, and co-author of Island: Poetry and History of Chinese Immigrants on Angel Island (Lai, Lim, Yung), which won the American Book Award. In 1990, U.C. Santa Cruz dedicated Oakes Hall to be renamed (Maxine)Hong-Lim Hall for Cultural Contributions to the Asian American Community. As SF Arts Commissioner from 1991-1995, Lim helped establish Writers Corps and Grants for the Arts under the auspices of SFAC. She is a current board member of Before Columbus Foundation, which presents the annual American Book Awards.

She has taught writing and performance classes for over forty years from SF State University, UC Berkeley, University of Creation Spirituality and New College of California to Japanese Community and Cultural Center of Northern California, where she has taught the Seniors Asian American Writing classes for over ten years, producing two class anthologies, From Both Shores and the upcoming, Window: Glimpses From Our Storied Past, soon to be released this fall with Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center.