why setting up AANHPI artist grants from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was important

(This article originally had the title of “please share: AANHPI artist grants for Massachusetts residents up to $1000. Apply by 3/18/2024” however, that deadline passed. It is still worthwhile to leave this article up though. I changed the title to what it is currently)

I was voted in as the Chair of the Arts and Culture Subcommittee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission a few months ago, and was appointed to be a Commissioner back in February 2023. (more on that later)

I’m excited to announce that we set up grants for artists who are Massachusetts residents and identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific Islander up to $1000 each. It’s not much, but this is 100% of the subcommittee’s budget. Our subcommittee’s budget is $5000, but I’ll be checking in with other subcommittees to see if they have unused budget to give out more of these grants. The application is live now, until March 18, 2024. To the applicants, I look forward to seeing and reading about your talent and am proud of you for telling your own stories through art.

(Application link was here) (AAPIC’s IG post) (AAPIC FB post) (LinkedIn post)

(Update: April 18, 2024

We received 74 applications and I think at least 68 deserved to get the grants. Reading the applications was a reminder of how talented and compelling AANHPI artists are. We are…