To our community, 

On May 2, we at the Asian Pacific Cultural Center (APICC), alongside other arts and cultural organizations across the country, were devastated to receive the news that our $50,000 NEA grant that went towards supporting our annual United States of Asian America Festival was discontinued. 

We see this defunding as a way to silence the voices, history, and strength of our diverse American tapestry. The arts are a way to lift up voices, pass along traditions, and nurture our soul. Despite having lost this crucial funding, APICC is dedicated to our culture bearers and will move ahead with our commitments including hosting our 28th annual United States of Asian America Festival.

Having this opportunity to expand the festival and to reflect on and include wider AAPI experiences was imperative to holistically addressing this year’s festival theme, Critical Refuge, which prompted our artists to reflect on how they seek necessary sanctuary within ourselves and in our communities in times of unrest and uncertainty. As we continue to find, cultivate, and grow spaces of critical refuge, we encourage readers to engage with the events in this year’s festival dedicated to doing just this. 

• Go to our festival Link here to full schedule.

• Donate to APICC to support our objective of regranting funding to artists.
• Support the Americans for the Arts Protect the NEA Campaign - Link here to the petition.
• Attend arts events that uplift our diverse communities, and stand in solidarity with organizers who continue to do crucial work

With Care, 

API Cultural Center Team