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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

06/18/2026

We will be closed Friday (6/19) and Saturday (6/20) in observance of Juneteenth. Additionally, we will be closed on Friday, 7/3, but we WILL remain open on Independence Day (Saturday, 7/4). We hope to see you in the gallery soon before the show concludes on July 11!

To mark the Semiquincentinnial, we intended this exhibition to highlight a decentralized democratic movement that was led by people of color in Philadelphia, serving as a model for what democracy could and should be. Come experience the most talked about exhibition in town and learn about how these important local movements preserve our cultural heritage and history, protect working-class residents from forced displacement, and safeguard the health and well-being of our most vulnerable community members.

Exhibition Installation 📸: Constance Mensh

06/16/2026

Join our special zine workshop next Saturday (6/27) 1–3PM! Youth were a powerful force behind the No Arena movement. For many young people, it was the first organizing campaign that they were part of. This workshop will be a reflection space to process the challenges they overcame and the power behind youth organizing. Youth participants will learn how to create a zine and have their work be part of a published No Arena archiving zine. The workshop is led by Peri Law, an artist, a community organizer, and the Youth Programs Coordinator of Asian Americans United.

This workshop is FREE and ideal for high school/early college youth, but we welcome younger students and accompanying parents and caregivers. Register at the link in our bio 🔗 Asian Arts Initiative

06/12/2026

Thank you so much for making last Saturday’s Block Party our biggest one yet! With an incredible lineup of performances and artist-led activities all day long, the park transformed into a vibrant community gathering day where all our neighbors and friends could come together, connect, and enjoy the beautiful beginning of this summer! Youth Arts Workshop mural and sculpture installations are on display through September! Come revisit the Rail Park this summer to see the artwork up close and read the amazing stories our students created for this public exhibition.

We can’t wait to welcome you back next year! In the meantime, stay tuned and check out more exciting events and programs happening at Asian Arts Initiative throughout the year!

This is event was supported by PNC Arts Alive and The Rail Park

Special thanks to the vendor & artists who made this Block Party robust and fun: TIMALIKESMUSIC, Serenade Lounge, Philadelphia Chinese Women’s Association, Yidan Zeng, Jade Javon, Ki Martinez, Somatic Practitioner, bboy kila m, SEAMAAC, Chinatown Records 華埠錄音, Rochelle ☆ yiuyiu 瑤瑤, Maisie O'Brien, Kathy Guo, Dirtbaby Farm, Precious Jewels Prevention LLC, Tyler Kline, ro adler, Ginger Arts Center, PhillyCAM, Callowhill Neighborhood, Neighbors Across Market, Asian Americans United, Baisun Candle Co. | candles inspired by Asian flavors, Malachi Lily the Chimera, kai 貝, honeyseeddeepcare, Cup’Patti, Sego Philly, sriscompanyphilly, Olive Roots Café

06/10/2026

This Saturday (6/13) 5–6:30PM ✨ Discover the powerful ways that rhythm, sound, and dance can become tools for community resistance! Led by Kenneth Martin (Teacher Kenny of FACTS), this workshop will guide you how to move your body and use your voice to express yourself. This will be a great opportunity to look back on the No Arena campaign through the lens of music and movement while learning about the incredible No Arena Flash Chorus!

Join us for this special workshop and be empowered to use not only your voice but also your body to take space! This is a free workshop. Register today at the link in bio 🔗

06/05/2026

AAI’s Block Party at the Rail Park is TOMORROW (6/6) 12-4PM 🌳🌳🌳We will have exciting food vendors and shopping experience all afternoon:

✨Food✨philly, Indonesian
, Sri Lankan
, Beverages

✨Vendors✨
, Apothecary
, Ceramics patti, Tea + Spice
, Clothing
, Candles

Beyond the food and shopping, we will have fun arts activities, live performances, and movement workshops throughout the day! This is a free, family-friendly event open to the public! Register today at the link in our bio 🔗

06/04/2026

Only a few spots are left for the Youth Arts Workshop (YAW) Summer Camp ☀️☀️☀️ All Philly middle school students (grades 6–8) are welcome to join us for an incredible summer experience! Our camp offers exciting arts activities, free daily snacks and meals, and fun weekly field trips. It’s the perfect place not only to make art and expand your creative world, but also to build lasting friendships and a supportive community.

Come make special memories with us this summer! See the link in our bio to fill out the Interest Form 🔗

06/02/2026

Join us at AAI Block Party at the Rail Park this Saturday (6/6) 12–4PM!! We have an incredible lineup across TWO stages, featuring live music on the Main Stage and interactive body and movement workshops at our Movement Space. Beyond the stages, the Rail Park will be filled with delicious food and hands-on arts activities led by amazing local artists all afternoon!

This event is entirely free and open to everyone, so bring your friends, family, and neighbors out for a beautiful day in the park! Don’t miss the party! Register today at the link in our bio 🔗

05/29/2026

Next Saturday’s Block Party is packed with incredible music experiences! Don’t miss the amazing R&B musician/DJ and Philly jazz quartet on the main stage. Plus, make sure to check out the special listening booth to explore DJing with a community archive!

We will have so many other activities, delicious food, and artist workshops. Don’t miss the party! This is a free event and open to all. Register now at the link in our bio 🔗

05/27/2026

AAI’s Block Party at the Rail Park is next Saturday (6/6) 12-4PM! Come check out the Movement Space at this year’s Block Party! Throughout the day, the Movement Space will feature FOUR workshops and exercises from the following movement artists and dancers:

Qi Gong with Yidan Zeng ()
Movement and Breathwork with Jade Javon ()
Somatic Dance Party with Ki Martinez
Breakdancing Workshop with Malik Still ( )

Don’t miss the party and join us next Saturday for this free, family-friendly event! We will have fun arts activities, delicious foods, live performances, and various neighbor organizations all day. Register today at the link in our bio 🔗

05/26/2026

This Saturday (5/30) at 7PM! Join us for an evening of special performance featuring Takahiro Yamamoto (.takataka.takataka)

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 🔗

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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