Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) Records

The Asian American Arts Alliance (A4) is a non-profit arts service organization dedicated to strengthening Asian American artists, and arts and cultural groups in New York City through funding, promotion, and community building. A4 was founded in 1983 by a group of arts leaders and activists, including the photographer Corky Lee (1947-2021), who recognized the need for a collective body of Asian American arts groups to represent the interests of its talented, yet under-recognized constituents. Its community currently comprises thousands of Asian American artists and arts organizations creating works in a wide range of mediums in the visual, literary, and performing arts. A4 offers various programs, including an online magazine (The Amp), networking events, talks, and professional development workshops, which help foster community and create pathways of access between artists, arts administrators, and cultural gatekeepers. Additionally, A4 continues to publicly advocate for the Asian American community and provides resources through fellowships and awards, designed to lower barriers of engagement and advance opportunities for Asian American artists.

The Asian American Arts Alliance Records consist of administrative files, correspondence, and reports detailing A4’s activities, operations, and membership. Other materials include copies of A4 publications such as newsletters (1991-2003), resource directories (1998-1999), and copies of Dialogue magazine (1998-2001). The collection also contains programs, fliers, brochures, and other promotional material for events involving A4 members and affiliated organizations, including galas and fundraising events. There are also materials such as photographs, CDs, and DVDs of artists’ works and performances gifted to A4 by members.

The Asian American Arts Alliance Records are in transfer to the NYU Tamiment Library & Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. A finding aid for the collection is in process.

Image: Perry Yung, Fred Ho, Marina Celander, and Corky Lee at the Asian American Arts Alliance gala, October 9, 2012; The Asian American Arts Alliance Records; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University Libraries. Photograph by Gil Seo.