Mission Statement

To support and present multi-disciplinary art reflective of the unique experiences of Asian Pacific Islanders living in the United States.

History

APICC was founded in 1996 by representatives of five nonprofit arts groups: Asian American Dance Performances, First Voice, Asian Improv aRts, Asian American Theater Company and Kearny Street Workshop. Since 1998, the Center has promoted the artistic and organizational growth of the City’s Asian/Pacific arts community by organizing and presenting the annual United States of Asian America Festival.

The United States of Asian America Festival presents approximately 20 different programs across 6-8 weeks in May-June reflecting the artistic accomplishments and the cultural diversity of San Francisco’s Asian and Pacific Island communities. The Festival showcases artists representing a diverse range of ethnic and cultural groups, including Bindlestiff Studio, Eth-Noh-Tec, Kularts, SAMMAY Productions, GLBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance and many more. The Festival heightens the visibility of artists working in all disciplines — theater, music, dance, film, literature, visual arts and more.

APICC collaborates with both emerging and well-established groups allowing these groups access to APICC’s wealth of production and fundraising know-how. In addition, APICC provides free performance and rehearsal space to these groups in addition to general organizational consulting. Our goal is to nurture and empower these groups to be self-sufficient and self-reliant while providing the support they need to grow. 

APICC’s long-term goal is to obtain a permanent, city-sponsored building to house rehearsal, performance and administrative spaces. Over 34% of San Francisco’s population is Asian, and we seek a space of our own to better showcase and support the broad range of Asian Pacific Islander artistic talents in the Bay Area.

APICC is funded by the California Arts Council, Consortium of Cultural Centers, Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, San Francisco Arts Commission, Zellerbach Family Fund, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, W A Gerbode Foundation, and individual contributors.