Asian Arts Initiative

Our Mission

Asian Arts Initiative (AAI) is a community-based arts center in Philadelphia dedicated to advancing racial justice and social change through the arts. Created in collaboration between Asian and Black poets in response to the national concerns about racial tension following the Rodney King verdict in 1993, AAI serves a diverse constituency and explores the experiences of all communities, including Asian Americans, through exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, community events, and youth workshops. As a community gathering space for experiencing and creating art that reflects our lives, AAI is proud to present programs that inspire critical thinking about the future we want to build for our communities.

Asian Arts Initiative is a multidisciplinary arts center offering exhibitions, performances, artist residencies, youth workshops, and a community gathering space.