THE 28th ANNUAL UNITED STATES OF ASIAN AMERICA FESTIVAL: CRITICAL REFUGE
ABOUT THE 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 American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) 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 theme, Critical Refuge, asks us to reflect on our journey as immigrants, refugees, and generations of descendents and/or mixed race people in the diaspora as we seek necessary sanctuary within ourselves and in our communities in times of unrest and uncertainty. The festival will honor AAPI arts and culture reflecting on where we have been, where we are now, and what our collective future holds while acknowledging our roots as immigrants, refugees, and mixed-race descendants.
Thank you to our many partners and funders including the San Francisco Arts Commission, San Francisco Grants for the Arts, California Arts Council, Zellerbach Family Foundation and startsmall.
CALL FOR ARTISTS PROPOSALS
CLICK HERE TO APPLY!
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Monday, December 9 at 12:00PM PST
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Individual artists, art groups, and art organizations are welcome to submit applications for art events occurring in San Francisco, Alameda, and San Mateo counties between May-June 15, 2025.
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, Critical Refuge:
- What does it mean to create and build spaces of protection, healing, and safety for ourselves and our AAPI communities?
- How are AAPI, BIPOC, and/or other marginalized communities historically and presently affected by global wars and conflict? In leaving our homelands and being displaced what is gained and what is lost?
- How are we as immigrants and refugees in the diaspora using arts and culture to show solidarity for those facing the brunt of war and violence while critiquing the systems perpetuating harm in our struggle towards collective liberation?
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 9 counties (if outside Bay Area, contact us 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, 2025.
- 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 us at [email protected] to assess participation).
USAAF DOES NOT FUND
- Benefits or fundraisers.
- Events not open or accessible to the general public.
- Events that do not take place in San Francisco, Alameda, or San Mateo counties.
LEVELS OF SUPPORT
Our awards support up to $5,300 across 4 award levels.
Click here to review the AWARD LEVELS & EVENTS that will be supported.
**NEW**
- Producing artists returning to USAAF will be prioritized at the self-produced award level.
-
Emerging and first time applicants to USAAF are encouraged to apply for co-produced, co-presented and promotional award levels
DEADLINE & SUBMISSION FORMAT
ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE DUE AT 12:00PM PST ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2024.
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 us 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 on a computer before submitting it through the application. The application is not compatible with tablets or phones.
Click here to view a checklist of important items required to submit through the application.
IMPORTANT DATES
Application Q&A #1 – Tuesday, November 19 @ 6-7PM Online via Zoom Register Here!
Application Q&A #2 – Saturday, December 7 @ 1-2PM PST, Online via Zoom Register Here!
If you cannot attend these scheduled Q&A sessions and have questions about your application, please contact us at [email protected]
Application Deadline – Monday, December 9 @ 12:00PM PST
Artists Notified – end of January 2025
THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS AND SPONSORS
San Francisco Arts Commission, California Arts Council, SF Grants for the Arts, SF Office of Economic & Workforce Development, Zellerbach Family Foundation, APA Heritage Foundation, The Ruby SF, and SOMArts Cultural Center.