Hello,

 

Happy Monday! We hope you are healthy, grounded, and well; and thank you for joining us on this journey of continuous growth and learning.


The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – where we celebrate the contributions and influences of AAPI history, culture, and communities. As we reflect upon the rise in hate crimes against Asian communities, we also use this time to educate ourselves about the history of hate against Asians in the United States and how we can elevate the voices of AAPI individuals in this country.

 

We encourage you to take time to learn more about and support Asian artists this month as well. A few artists include:

Christine Sun Kim, sound artist
Kishi Bashi, singer and multi-instrumentalist
Monyee Chau, visual artist

Lee Isaac Chung, director and screenwriter of Minari

 

How will you celebrate and support the experiences and voices of the Asian community?

 

In other news:

We have been reflecting and expanding upon equitable practices within our personal, professional, and artistic lives through the following articles. What have you been growing and reflecting with recently?

 

How Emma Amos’s Art and Activism Powerfully Confronted Racism and Sexism, dives deep into the legacy, impact and work of the painter and printmaker.

Learn more about composer, performer, and installation artist Raven Chacon and recent project Radio Coyote, in the article 5 Questions to Raven Chacon about Radio Coyote.

Gabe Stone Shayer, American Ballet Theatre soloist, has been an artist in residence in the Cayman Island where he is choreographing an African-themed narrative ballet. You can read both about his creative process and experience in Gabe Stone Shayer is Creating an African Narrative Ballet in a Locale That’s Not Only Dreamy, but Informing the Work Itself.

Learning Opportunities and Activities:

May 11th: Equity in the Arts & Humanities: Liberation (Free)
This 4-part conversation series by BlackSpace Indianapolis will investigate Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Liberation hearing from local community experts. Please use this link to register for the conversation.

May 12th:  Replenishment, Nourishment & Healing in Equity Work Part 1 ($100)
This session is an affinity space for BIPOC equity capacity builders working within organizations, as consultants, and/or in communities and networks

May 13th: A Seat at the Table: A Conversation on Cultural Equity in the Arts (Free)
In an intentional effort to elevate cultural equity, diversity, and inclusion in our arts and culture community, the Des Moines Arts Festival hosts a quarterly online opportunity to showcase how you can find your “Seat at the Table".

May 26th: Inside-Out Work: Embedding Racial Equity in Organizational Culture (Free)
Please join us for this conversation between Michelle McMurray, Vice President of Program and Community Engagement at The Pittsburgh Foundation, and Tricia Gadson, CEO of Macedonia FACE about what it takes to embed racial equity into organizational culture.

Thank you for reading, and have a grounded and joyful week! 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.

 

Warmly,

Ami

 

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

www.AmericansForTheArts.org

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Pronouns: she/her/hers

 

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