Rooted in Community
Growing Futures: Support AAI's Youth Program
For over 25 years, Asian Arts Initiative has provided free, transformative arts education to youth in Philadelphia. Our programs have long served as a steady, creative outlet for students navigating the complexities of culture, identity, and community. In a world that too often overlooks their voices, we offer a safe space for young people to explore who they are—and who they want to become—through art.
But in today’s uncertain funding environment, we face a critical challenge: sustaining our free youth programs, which serve over 150 students every year, ages 11–18. As funding becomes increasingly unpredictable, we’re working proactively to ensure the future of this essential program—and the continued growth and success of the young people who depend on it.
Our Youth Arts Workshop (middle school) and Youth Leadership Initiative (high school) have empowered hundreds of students in the School District of Philadelphia with mentorship, community, and the tools to navigate relationships, academics, identity, and postsecondary pathways. By connecting students with artists, educators, and peers from diverse backgrounds, these programs foster cross-cultural understanding, civic engagement, and a deep sense of belonging.
This year, we are launching a fundraising campaign solely dedicated to the Youth Programs, and we have already raised $48,000 thanks to supporters of our annual Benefit and sponsor partners! We are aiming to double this by August 2025. Your gift will help us to fund:
The Youth Leadership Initiative’s Spring Trip
Free Student Tuition
Fair Teaching Artist Wages
Arts and activity supplies, and many more!
Update: Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community—including a major new gift of $55,000 raised through Urban Outfitters’ nationwide cash wrap campaign in May—we’re thrilled to share that we’ve surpassed our initial goal of $80,000 for Asian Arts Initiative’s Youth Programs campaign.
This remarkable show of support from across the country reflects how deeply people believe in AAI’s mission to uplift young people through arts, education, and community. From local donors to national retail partners, it’s clear that the work we do to empower Asian American and BIPOC youth resonates far beyond Philadelphia.
Because of you, we’ve already raised $103,000 to help ensure our Youth Leadership Initiative and Youth Arts Workshop remain free, accessible, and impactful for the 150+ students we serve each year. In response to this incredible momentum—and the continued need we see every day—we’re raising our goal to $110,000. This new stretch target will help fund expanded programming, fair wages for our teaching artists, mentorship and leadership training, and increased access for new students.
Our Sponsors
We are grateful to receive support from PECO and Urban Outfitters.
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Join us in protecting youth spaces and uplifting BIPOC communities—sign up for the AAI newsletter or make a donation to help us continue offering meaningful programs. This year, AAI is recommitting to this mission, and we can't do it without supporters like you. Thank you!
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