10th Anniversary Timeline

1992
The Asian Arts Initiative is created at the Painted Bride Art Center in response to community concerns about racial tension.

1993
We launch our programs with Live Traditions/Contemporary Issues, Philadelphia's first-ever Asian American arts festival!

1996
We formally incorporate as an independent nonprofit organization.

1997
We move out of the Painted Bride into our current home at 1315 Cherry Street.

1997
Our Artists in Communities Training (ACT) program is created to develop the skills of artists who can teach and lead the Initiative's community-based workshops

1998
Our Youth Arts Workshop is formalized, offering courses in creative writing, visual art, and video-making for high school-aged students.

1998
Our Rap Series premieres as a monthly forum for Asian American poets, filmmakers, and performers to share their talents and spark dialogue about community issues.

2000
Our Gallery program is generated by a team of volunteers who begin curating a season of exhibitions each year!

2002
We host our first annual Banquet!

2003-2004
We celebrate our 10-year anniversary season!

Asian Arts Initiative announces our Living Archives website.  Celebrating our 15 years of community building, the Asian Arts Initiative's Living Archives website features an interactive timeline of events--and highlights from 15 oral history interviews with artists and activists reflecting on the power of art in creating social change.


The Living Archives were made possible by a grant from the Philadelphia Historical & Museum Commission.

Click to access the Living Archives.  

The Living Archives website is still under construction.  If you have trouble accessing the site, please try back later.  Thank you.