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Asian Arts Initiative
Dive into the Asian-American experience by way of the arts
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Asian Arts Initiative
Photo by B. Krist for GPTMC
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Insider Tip
Every third Friday of the month there is a Rap Series: a variety of music, dance, spoken word and theater.
Kids' Show
Youth Artist Chillin’ Day is held every first Friday of the month. It’s a free two-hour program for Asian-American youth to share art, interact with their peers and play games. GenerAsian Next is a young theater troupe that meets once a week from September to May.
The Experience
The Asian Arts Initiative is a community arts center located in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic Chinatown. The organization provides an important political and cultural voice for Asian Americans by way of the arts. It’s a hip place where ideas are shared and the Asian-American experience is put on display.
Visual arts, theater, dance and music are all given equal time to shine at AAI, where visitors range from teenagers to senior citizens. While local participants provide much of the action at AAI, the institution has quite a few out-of-towners drop in. Popular New York City DJ Kuttin’ Kandi, as well as the four-member spoken word group I Was Born with Two Tongues, are regular hits.
History
The Asian Arts Initiative opened in 1992 as a program of the Painted Bride Arts Center before becoming an independent non-profit in 1996. It has fast become a part of the high-charged social scene in Chinatown.
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