Asian Arts & Culture Center, Towson U
Asian Arts & Culture Center, Towson U
The Asian Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC) is a self-support department of Towson University in Maryland which engages audiences at the university and throughout the greater Baltimore, Washington, DC and mid-Atlantic regions in cross-cultural dialogue through a broad range of Asian and AAPI-related artistic and cultural experiences. AA&CC programs (such
Asian Arts & Culture Center, Towson U
The Asian Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC) is a self-support department of Towson University in Maryland which engages audiences at the university and throughout the greater Baltimore, Washington, DC and mid-Atlantic regions in cross-cultural dialogue through a broad range of Asian and AAPI-related artistic and cultural experiences. AA&CC programs (such as exhibitions, performances, discussions, festivals and workshops) are co-curated with and provide platforms for Asian and AAPI creatives to share their stories, traditions, and ideas in critical, intelligent and emotionally compelling ways that promote conversation, celebrate difference, reveal commonalities, broaden perspectives, and increase public understanding of diverse AAPI experiences.
About the Organization:
The Asian Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC) is a self-support department of Towson University in Maryland which engages audiences at the university and throughout the greater Baltimore, Washington, DC and mid-Atlantic regions in cross-cultural dialogue through a broad range of Asian and AAPI-related artistic and cultural experiences. AA&CC programs (such as exhibitions, performances, discussions, festivals and workshops) are co-curated with and provide platforms for Asian and AAPI creatives to share their stories, traditions, and ideas in critical, intelligent and emotionally compelling ways that promote conversation, celebrate difference, reveal commonalities, broaden perspectives, and increase public understanding of diverse AAPI experiences.
organizational budget
$100,000 - $500,000
existence for
31+ YEARS
Organization benefits AAPIs residing in the following state(s):
Maryland
organizational budget
$100,000 - $500,000
existence for
31+ YEARS
Organization benefits AAPIs residing in the following state(s):
Maryland
The Issue:
Since 2020 communities have become increasingly polarized. For AAPIs, reported hate crimes have increased exponentially despite their long history of residence, increasing numbers, and political and economic influence.
This state-of-affairs stems from a host on interrelated issues—such as the history of anti-Asian racism in the U.S. and the erasure and marginalization of AAPIs—which all point to ignorance in one form or another. While a great deal of the ignorance is certainly voluntary, much of it can also be attributed to inadequate opportunities to learn about diverse cultures and experiences in interesting, engaging and thought-provoking ways.
Like elsewhere in the United States, the AAPI communities throughout the Greater Baltimore, MD region are largely invisible and marginalized. Despite their rich and long history in the region—and their growing numbers—they are generally underrepresented and their contributions to the local landscape are under-recognized.
The Solution:
Asia North Amplified expands upon Asia North, an annual, month-long program inaugurated in 2019 celebrating Baltimore's Charles North neighborhood’s historical identity as a Koreatown and its increasing cultural diversity. Through exhibits, performances, hands-on activities, and more showcasing the work of local AAPI artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs, Asia North 1) unifies community, 2) illuminates the regional AAPI community and history, 3) raises awareness of AAPI contributions to Greater Baltimore, and 4) facilitates dialogue about issues of concern to AAPI communities.
Asia North Amplified will not only further increase AAPI visibility and keep AAPI stories on the local radar by adding monthly programming to Asia North from June through October 2022, but each program will also empower AAPIs and AAPI-serving partner organizations by focusing on and discussing issues of AAPI concern, strategizing methods of addressing those issues, and appealing to program attendees to financially support the participating AAPI-serving organizations.
