NYC’s First-Ever Asian Creative Festival Is Headed To Industry City

Honor AAPI Heritage Month this May at Industry City’s two-day Asian Creative Festival, bringing together the city’s largest AAPI creative organizations.

As we approach May and enter in Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI), it’s important to continue honoring the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans  every day outside of the month.

This year, the Asian Creative Foundation announced the first-ever Asian Creative Festival coming to Industry City during AAPI month. The two-day festival will take place from Saturday, May 20 to Sunday, May 21, spanning the complex’s 10,000-square-foot Five Two A event space.

The city’s largest AAPI creative organizations will come together for the event, including: ACE Pop-Up, Mixed Asian Media, East Side Stories and Asian Creative Network. Together, the organizations will aid the festivals programming to properly reflect the AAPI community.

“We are thrilled to gather for this inaugural festival celebrating AAPI culture and creatives,” said Susana Chen of the Asian Creative Foundation. “Our vision for the Asian Creative Festival is to cultivate a place for our community to exchange stories, inspire creativity, and support one another. We look forward to allowing visitors to experience first-hand the unique creative expression and perspective of the AAPI community through our curated programming.”

Asian Creative Festival will be open to everyone and is themed “Be Colorful.” Guests will be able to shop from a variety of AAPI-owned businesses at the pop-up marketplace, offering everything from floral arrangements to clothing, artwork to culinary bites.

We are excited to host this incredible event and continue amplifying AAPI culture and creativity,” said Jim Somoza, Managing Director of Industry City. “Anyone who has shopped the Upper Floors for one-of-a-kind textiles from India, enjoyed a delicious meal at Japan Village, shared sake with friends, or found inspiration at Yi Gallery knows there are so many rich experiences AAPI creatives have brought to Industry City.”

Asian Creative Talks will be part of the festival’s ticketed programming. Keynote speakers such as creative director, Steven Wakabayashi, and award-winning designer and artist Rich Tu will share insights as Chella Man, Industry City’s artist-in-residence will take part in a Q&A session.

At the end of each day, there will be a screening by Mixed Asian Media and East Side Stories of an AAPI-directed film.

Though entry is free, an RSVP will be required. You can reserve yours today on Industry City’s website. Learn more about Asian Creative Festival here.

May 20-21 from 11am-9:30pm

Industry City, 33 35th St., Brooklyn

Read the article from SecretNYC here.