"Imagined Futures" APA Artist Conference in Los Angeles – May 2

We are spoiled, living in LA.  Having been around as long as I have, I sometimes find it remarkable how much is going on in the Asian American artists' community.  

There was a time when our numbers were smaller, our role-models were fewer, our community's interest in the arts seemed less impassioned, and, well, we struggled more.  Maybe not more, but on a different scale, within a smaller scope.  Today, we are much greater in numbers, we stand upon the shoulders of those upon shoulders, generations have been able to reach higher, dream bigger, and shine brighter.  We don't struggle just to be heard, but to be understood.  Not just to be seen, but to be respected.  Not just to be equal among the masses, but to step forward and lead.

These are changing times, and it is the arts which will tell future generations what it felt like to be here, what our struggle was, and is.  And it is the next generation of artists who will keep the struggle going.  Or at least, an emotional record of it.

I am grateful to have a community which has built the Japanese American National Museum, here in downtown LA's Little Tokyo, and grateful that this museum has recognized the importance of the arts, and organized the "Imagined Futures" forum, taking place next month (see announcement below). Young artists, be seen! Be heard! Lead!

One of many things going on here in town.  I love LA.

Thanks for reading,

—CT

ps: Thanks, Marilyn, for the post

IMAGINED FUTURES

Just a reminder, we are a few weeks away from our first API young artists conference here at the Japanese American National Museum... If you're interested in coming, please be sure to register now. More information about the conference below:

"Imagined Futures" a special one day free conference, from 1 to 5pm on Saturday May 2, 2009 at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles's Little Tokyo. This conference will teach as well as inspire young Japanese Americans and Asian Pacific Americans to future artistic and cultural production through an innovative conference format.

Following a special dance performance by U.C.L.A.'s Nikkei Student Union, participants will hear from keynote speakers: Eric Nakamura, publisher of Giant Robot, and George Takei, actor. Then participants will have the opportunity to take a two hour workshop from leaders in the fields of: Filmmaking, Anime/Comics, Blogs/New Media, Spoken Word/Hip Hop, Fiction, and the Art and Business of Clothing. Following the workshops, participants are invited to join the workshop leaders for a closing reception with light refreshments.

• Filmmaking with director/writer/producer Quentin Lee

• Anime/Comics with the author of the biweekly column "Asian Pop" for the San Francisco Chronicle, Jeff Yang

• Blogs/New Media with Phil Yu of Angry Asian Man

• Spoken Word/Hip Hop with LA hip-hop sensation Shin-B

• Fiction with award winning writer, Naomi Hirahara

• The Art and Business of Clothing with Ryan Suda of Blacklava

Through the generous support of the Aratani Endowment at the University of California at Los Angeles and the Japanese American National Museum, the conference is offered free of charge. Registration is required in order to ensure a place in the workshops.

To find out more information and to register for the workshops, participants can visit the Imagined Futures group on Facebook, email ImaginedFutures2009@gmail.com, or call the Japanese American National Museum at 213-625-0414.