Hello,
We hope you are all finding warmth, both figuratively and literally, as cold weather and snow travels throughout the United States.
A few weeks ago, many Asian identifying individuals celebrated Lunar New Year, a time where families and communities celebrate unity, prosperity, life, and joy. This year felt different, as
anti-Asian hate crimes have increased in the United States since the start of the pandemic, with minimal media attention to the harm being caused. Asian
influencers
and
celebrities are speaking out against the violence, prejudice and discrimination, but what can we as arts workers do to continue to support, project, and create safe spaces for Asian/Asian-American communities?
Learn about the harm caused, through
journal articles,
social media posts,
and Asian American news.
Practice and learn bystander intervention and
sign up for trainings
through Hollaback! and Asian Americans Advancing Justice.
Support Asian communities through organizing groups such as
Asian American Feminist Collective,
advocacy group such as Asian American Advocacy Fund,
and Asian owned businesses such as Lunar
and Omsom.
Donate to or participate with Asian arts and nonprofit organizations such as
Asian American Arts Alliance,
Asian Arts Initiative, and
Seeding Change
(just to name a few). What organizations exist in your community?
Take an intentional step towards practicing anti-racism through advocacy and justice for Asian American communities.
In other news:
With increased awareness and attention towards active anti-racism, trainers and workers who specialize in speaking to people about race reflect upon their practices and its impacts.
Anti-racism
trainers were ready for this moment. Is everyone else?
101
Black Artists Living and Working in Texas
Meet
the fast-rising young composer who’s created a work Seattle Symphony is debuting in the U.S.
Juano Hernández, the first Afro-Latino actor in Hollywood history
Learning Opportunities and Activities
February 22:
Anti-Racism as Organizational Compass Virtual Dialogue Series
(Sliding Scale)
The “Anti-Racism as Organizational Compass” series offers the opportunity to listen to intimate conversations with six BIPOC-led arts organizations that center anti-racism in mission and practice.
February 24:
The Walls We Build & the Walls We Break (Facebook Live)
Groundswell Executive Director, Robyne Walker Murphy will moderate the conversation exploring the history of the Weeksville Community in Brooklyn and the importance of African American Genealogy.
February 24: Van Lier
Fellowship for Music Info Session
The Van Lier Fellowship in Music is an eight-month long fellowship meant to help an early-career, financially-limited, original music artist of Asian descent living in New York City.
March 17 to 23: Beyond Solidarity:
Cultural Community Benefit Trainings
(Starts at $500)
Offered through ArtChangeUS, this virtual training offers individuals and organizations creative, practical and meaningful strategies for building commitments to greater diversity, equitable stakeholder
relationships, and structural change within their work.
In the 3rd week of Black History Month, we checked out how the
Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation department
developed programs to educate and teach community members more about Black history. Use Google to find opportunities in your local community. Jobie Hill, an architect in Iowa, has been tracking and documenting former slave houses throughout the state.
Learn more about her findings and reflections of these spaces
here.
Thank you for reading, and have a grounded and joyful week!
Warmly,
Ami (ah-mee)
(If you want to share ways this work is showing up in your organization or community, or if you have questions, let us know using this
form)
Ami Scherson
(ah-mee shure-sun)
Equity in Arts Leadership Program Coordinator
Americans for the Arts
One East 53rd St 3rd Fl
New York, NY
(212) 223-2787
x2083
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Pronouns: she/her/hers
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