DC Asian American Pacific Islander Literary Arts and Performance Poetry Festival

The Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) Spoken Word & Poetry Summit is a biennial gathering of artists from the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora representing various disciplines. Every two years, artists from across North America (and the globe) convene in one city for four to five days. Summit attendees share poems and stories, engage in dialogue, and attend workshops that range in topics from improving writing and performance skills to using art as activism. Attendees are also given the unique opportunity to explore the nuanced APIA experiences of the host city, and engage with residents of the city during field trips and other activities. The Summit concludes with a public closing ceremony that includes performances from renowned APIA artists.

Since its inception in 2001, numerous dedicated volunteers from around the country have helped activate the following six cities: Seattle (2001); Chicago (2003); Boston (2005); New York City (2007); the Bay Area (2009) and the Twin Cities (2011). These activities, as well as the “passing of the torch” that occurs when a different city of organizers is selected by a popular vote and commits to the two-year process of hosting a Summit, are all directed towards uplifting the APIA arts and activism communities of that particular city.

Sponsored since May 31, 2012
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Raised $1,000