KSW Remembers 30 Years in Arts Activism (cont'd)

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In 1981, KSW started the Asian American Jazz Festival, which was held at various venues in San Francisco before it formed a lasting partnership with the Asian Art Museum. Under the directorship of KSW director Mark Izu, the Asian American Jazz Festival flourished. The event became a vehicle for talented artists to showcase and promote their works. Many noted Asian American musicians, writers, and visual artists could trace their career paths back to KSW. KSW produced the Asian American Jazz Festival for 17 years before turning it over to another group.

In March 1995, KSW received its 501(c)(3) status, shortly after Nancy Hom was appointed executive director. Nancy strengthened KSW's infrastructure, formalized a board of directors, redirected the organization’s programming, and expanded its resources. She formed relationships with other community groups within and beyond the Asian American community. At this time, KSW moved from its cramped quarters in the California Flower Market to South Park, soon to be a mecca for new media mavens.

By the mid-90s KSW’s founding core had become less involved in our organization and a new generation of artists was coming of age. KSW formed KSW-Next in July 1998 to offer the APA community’s next generation of adults their own space to grow as artists and activists. Comprised of artists aged 18 to 35, KSW-Next is a training ground and network for our community's young artists. Guided by KSW's mission, its members manage their own fundraising activities and plan their own projects, with oversight by KSW staff. There are now over 400 participants of KSW-Next. KSW-Next members curate and organize our annual festival, APAture: A Window on the Art of Young Asian Pacific Americans, one of the nation's largest gatherings of APA artists.

The dot-com boom forced KSW to move again in 2000. We are fortunate to be able to have office space at SomArts Cultural Center, where we are presently located. From its beginnings in the International Hotel, KSW has grown to a vital organization with a focus on intergenerational, cross-cultural activities that honor our historical and cultural heritage. We also support the efforts of artists who desire to find grounding through community involvement, and nurture a new generation of artists on the cutting edge of artistic expression. No longer in a singular Asian American neighborhood, KSW serves a wide range of constituents. Our work continues to provide a crucial venue for untold stories and access for APA artists in our community. All of our programs share a common purpose to explore and provide insight to contemporary Asian Pacific American issues through art.