APIA HERITAGE MONTH PROGRAMMING

Co-presented by Asian Law Caucus

For Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Heritage Month in May, Luminous Futures is KSW's month of programming uplifting creativity, rest, learning and healing. The programming across this important month are meaningful ways of building hope within our communities during times of hurt, recover from violence, and growing awareness of our previously obfuscated "model minority" issues.

Luminous Futures highlights how the creative economies and artistic communities of San Francisco are needed now more than ever. As we rebuild our world following a global pandemic, we are also creating new pathways to equity which center diverse storytelling and community building. As we grieve the histories untold, through art, we too are able to create a world with more luminosity.

Exhibition & Events

On Display at the San Francisco Public Library (Jewett Gallery) 100 Larkin Street (Lower Level) April 29 - Aug 6, 2023
Gallery hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-5:30PM, Sundays 12-5:30PM.

Opening Reception May 4, 6pm.

Poetry Reading, Panel Discussion, & Music on July 15th (details TBA)

Learn more here

Curated by Colin Choy Kimzey

Participating artists: MC Amable, Juke Jose, Kristian Kabuay, Tina Kashiwagi, Vida Kuang, ClarizeYale Revadavia, Andrew Szeto, Lorenzo Tamayo-Lee, Weston Teruya, Lian Verdeflor.
Archive Artists: Laurie J. Chan, Curtis Choy, Jim Dong, Zand Gee, Nancy Hom, Jack Loo, Stephanie Lowe, Calvin Roberts, Wes Senzaki, Leland Wong, Chester Hideo Yoshida.
Asian American Virtual Histories Interviewees: MC Amable, Rupert Estanislao, Jessica Hagedorn, Clara Hsu, Vida Kuang, Kyle Shin AKA Son of Paper, Jöel B. Tan, Leland Wong.

APAture Festival

KSW’s APAture is the only multidisciplinary arts festival featuring 75-80 emerging APA artists in venues throughout San Francisco.

In May, preparations for this unique launchpad experience for artists and arts workers begin.

The volunteer General Planning Committee (GPC) is recruited and begins planning for the festival, choosing a theme informed by current events and issues affecting APA communities. They meet 1-1 with KSW Staff to share their goals and interests, and to be put onto an individual showcase committee.

The GPC members are provided planning and arts admin training otherwise inaccessible to them. The GPC creates an incredible support system, community, and training ground for individual interested in the work that accompanies art making. The opportunity to plan, guide, and launch this annual festival opens eyes to careers in arts organizing, community arts, and in service to community. Read the APAture 2022 recap here.

Sponsors interested in supporting APAture’s full duration can reach out to Mihee@kearnystreet.org.

Look at the Moon! Course on Intuition for Artists of Color

This 4-week container explores intuitive and energetic practices for artists of color (people of color, black & indigenous) via community building, talks/discussion, scholarship, artist presentations, small group exercises, writing prompts, energy work, meditation & more.

Designed for artists and creators developing a feminist, anti-racist spiritual practice which informs their art, or for those interested in more deeply aligning their lives and creative practice with their intuition.

The course is non-denominational while respecting the boundaries of closed spiritual practices and holding traditions to modern standards of ethics and care.

Interdisciplinary Writer’s Lab (IWL)

An annual, 3-month, multi-genre master class for local POC (people of color, black & indigenous) writers. Emerging writers are challenged to explore and develop their writing skills and styles across multiple genres. Each year, students are published in a print anthology.

In May, a panel of experts review competitive submissions and Fellows are announced. This incredible opportunity introduces writers to writers with similar lived experiences and backgrounds.

And our 2022 cohort will be celebrating the release of their class chapbook at Arc Gallery & Studios on May 20th!

An Asian American A-Z Book Launch and Celebration

Written by the directors of Kundiman—an organization dedicated to nurturing Asian American writers—An Asian American A to Z is a book for children of all backgrounds and a vital resource for tomorrow's organizers. Asian American identity formation is expansive yet under-taught, and this book is a necessary intervention that will ground readers in joy, history, and solidarity. KSW is hosting a celebration of this groundbreaking children's book with authors, Cathy Linh Che and Kyle Lucia Wu, along with lineup of very special guests.

Schedule of Events

Our “Luminous Futures” APIA Month Sponsors

Email Mihee@kearnystreet.org if you’d like to learn more and become a sponsor. Check out our Sponsorship Info Deck here and our Sponsorship Letter.