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Monday 10am - 6pm Tuesday 10am - 6pm Wednesday 10am - 6pm Thursday 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 6pm

Asian Arts Initiative

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Asian Arts Initiative

Asian Arts Initiative is a community-based arts center in Chinatown North. Follow us on Instagram at
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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. To donate to the Asian Arts Initiative, please visit:
https://asianartsinitiative.org/donate

05/23/2026

Meet the incredible artists leading hands-on, creative workshops at our upcoming Block Party at the Rail Park! This year, dive into fun, interactive activities centered around plants and wellness:

- Pollinator Automata Activity with Maisie O’Brien ()
- Flower & Plant Making with Found-Object with Kathy Guo ()
- Bouquet Making with Dirtbaby Farm ()
- Herbalism Workshop with Folami Irvine (.llc)

We are also excited to welcome back former grantee artists, Tyler Kline () and Ro Adler (), who will be leading mask-making and printmaking workshops. This is just a sneak peek! Join us for so much more including live performances, amazing food, and fun throughout the day.

This event is FREE! RSVP today at the link in our bio 🔗

05/22/2026

Thank you so much for celebrating with us at our Spring Gala last Saturday 🌸🌸🌸 From the delicious food offerings to our students’ moving graduation ceremony, the evening was filled with unforgettable moments. We are still basking in the afterglow, deeply moved by the incredible warmth and kindness you brought to the room. AAI is truly and deeply loved.

And thanks to your incredible generosity—and a $5,000 matching gift from our amazing Board—we raised $7,828 during the night of the event! We are now about $2,000 away from our day-of-the-event $10,000 goal! Help us cross the finish line today at the link in our bio 🔗

We are so grateful to be in community with you and we can’t wait to welcome you back for so many exciting programs and moments, here in Philadelphia.

—
📸: ,

05/20/2026

🌿 AAI’s Block Party returns to the Rail Park this summer on Saturday, June 6, 12-4PM 🌿

At this year’s Block Party, AAI’s youth education program will unveil a public mural based on a mythological creation story imagined by the students. The story and characters will be rooted in the students’ experiences at AAI, as well as inherited knowledge about the program.

Through an accompanied scavenger hunt, the mural will invite viewers to interact with it by hinting at clues that implore visitors to explore the landscape in search of three-dimensional works scattered throughout Rail Park.

Join us for this free, family-friendly event and celebrate our community through fun arts activities, delicious foods, live performances, and various neighbor organizations. Register at the link in our bio 🔗

05/14/2026

Our Spring Gala is only TWO days away 🌸While you wait, check out our Online Silent Auction that anyone can participate in! From one-of-a-kind artworks and private dining experiences to unique local finds, we have an incredible array of items waiting for you. You can start placing your bids today or use the “Buy Now” feature to secure your item instantly. The auction remains open on Sunday, May 17 at 12PM

Explore our auction at the link in our bio now! Haven’t bought your Gala tickets yet? We only have a few tickets available, grab yours today!

Thank you to our auction item donors: , , , , , , ,

05/12/2026

AAI Spring Gala is THIS SATURDAY (5/16) 🌸🌸🌸 Join us for a beautiful and meaningful night of engaging with our community members, creatives, and civic leaders and celebrate over 30 years of building community through the power of arts! Proceeds from the Gala support AAI’s youth education programs, uplifting creative voices and building lasting connections across Philadelphia.

Get your tickets today at the link in our bio 🔗

Special shout out to our Presenting Sponsor, .
And to our generous sponsors, including , , , , .bank, and

05/08/2026

Can’t make it to our Spring Gala? You can still support from anywhere by participating in our Online Silent Auction! 🌸 From one-of-a-kind artworks and private dining experiences to unique local finds, we have an incredible array of items waiting for you. Browse through our collection and start placing your bids today! Found something you love? Use the “Buy Now” feature to secure your item instantly. The auction closes on Sunday, May 17 at 12PM.

Learn more and explore the auction at the link in our bio 🔗

Thank you to our auction item donors: , , , , , , , ,

05/07/2026

Join us for an evening of special performance featuring Takahiro Yamamoto on Saturday, May 30! Collaborating with NYC-based sound artist Cenk Ergün () and Philadelphia-based multidisciplinary artist Jose Ortiz-Pagán (), 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙃𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝘾𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧 explores erasure/nothingness and existence/being as a place of refuge from the accomplishment-oriented society that perpetuates isolation and the present-day threats associated with being an immigrant in the U.S.

This event is Free / Pay What You Wish! Get your tickets today at the link in our bio 🔗

05/06/2026

Mark your calendar 📅 AAI’s Block Party returns to the Rail Park this summer on Saturday, June 6, 12-4PM! This free, family-friendly event showcases our community through fun arts activities, delicious foods, live performances, and various neighbor organizations.

At this year’s Block Party, AAI’s youth education programs will reveal a public mural based on a mythological creation story imagined by the students. Come celebrate the legacy of our long-running youth education programs as well as our beloved community park,

This is a free event! Register at the link in our bio 🔗

05/05/2026

Open Mic Next Tuesday (5/12) at 5PM 🎙Come read or sing or perform something from your heart, inspired by the No Arena movement!

Didn’t get to speak your testimony at city council? Read it at the open mic! Wrote a poem about how people can overcome billionaires? Bring it to the “podium”! The No Arena Open Mic is a night to uplift the voices of so many people who were impacted by this powerful struggle. Make sure to sign up so we can add you to the list! Light refreshments from Chinatown will be provided. This is a free event! Register at the link in our bio 🔗

05/01/2026

🌸AAI Spring Gala Online Silent Auction is officially LIVE 🌸 From one-of-a-kind artworks and private dining experiences to unique local finds, we have an incredible array of items waiting for you. You can participate in the auction and support our mission from anywhere!

Browse through our collection and start placing your bids NOW. Found something you love? Use the “Buy Now” feature to secure your item instantly. The auction closes on Sunday, May 17 at 12PM. Learn more and explore the auction at the link in our bio 🔗

04/30/2026

Join us for another NO ARENA program on Tuesday, May 26 ✨ This storytelling workshop is grounded in the Black-Asian solidarity and the shared histories of struggles and resilience in two neighborhoods, Chinatown and West Philly. Presented in collaboration with , this event is part of Crossing Streets, a constellation of arts events celebrating culture and uniting people—and purpose—in two deeply rooted Philadelphia neighborhoods.

This is a free event! Get your tickets today at the link in our bio 🔗

Address

1219 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA
19107

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 6pm
Tuesday	10am - 6pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	10am - 6pm
Friday	10am - 6pm

Telephone

+12155570455

Website

http://www.asianartsinitiative.org/

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