Author: North Carolina Arts Council
Governor Roy Cooper proclaimed May Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, to commemorate the contributions made by members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to the state of North Carolina.
Find events and resources in your area where you can explore and celebrate the work of AAPI artists and arts organizations this month and all year long by visiting your local arts council’s website. Here are some examples:
- The Buncombe County Public Library has curated a reading list of AAPI-focused books for all ages. Check out the list on the library’s website.
- The North Carolina Museum of History, an agency of the state Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, hosts “History at High Noon: Amplifying Asian American Voices,” on May 21. This online program features Pan Asian Voices and Experiences of North Carolina (PAVE NC), a storytelling initiative to amplify Asian American voices throughout our state.
N.C. Arts Council grants have helped to support the work of AAPI artists and arts groups across our state, including these recent Spark the Arts grants recipients:
- Movement Migration: Founded by Kim Jones in 2017, Movement Migration received a grant to help bring a diverse array of dance workshops to East Charlotte.
- Leela Foundation: This professional dance troupe, led by a 2018 North Carolina Heritage Award honoree, Asha Bala (who is also a member of the N.C. Arts Council’s board), received a grant to develop and host “creative aging workshops” that explore Bharata Natyam dance for older adults.