Austin’s various art scenes are a defining part of our ever-expanding culture. Galleries, performers, dancers — the city is full of amazing artists, all leaving their mark on our communities. The Asian American & Pacific Islander communities are Austin’s fastest-growing demographics. Delight in traditional dances, captivating film screenings, and enriching exhibits.
Here are some of the places, organizations, and people in the Austin Asian American & Pacific Islander arts scene that have brought their incredible passion and talent to the city.
Shops and Spaces
Asian American Resource Center hosts a large variety of programs and exhibits displaying art from the spectrum of identities under the Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander umbrella. Established in 2013, the center has served the community with many helpful spaces that are completely open to the public.
Kinokuniya Austin is a Japanese bookstore that sells stationery, cultural items and artbooks. Want to become a better artist yourself? Pick up one of their Art Boxes: a stationary kit with beautiful brush pens that can help you make some gorgeous ink illustrations. For anime fans, the beautifully sunlit store has a wide assortment of figures, pins, and manga (available in both English and Japanese). They host cultural events in the back half of the store, which they have set up to resemble a 1920s Japanese classroom.
Lotus Gallery showcases fine antiques and collectibles from a variety of Asian cultures. Next time you are in the West Sixth Street area, step in and see this first-class collection of art from China, Tibet, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, India, Thailand and Burma. While most items are on sale for art collectors, the store owners are known for their welcoming attitude and willingness to share their deep knowledge and passion about Asian art.
West China Tea House lets visitors participate in gong fu cha tea ceremonies — the ritualized preparation and presentation of tea as an art form. Stop in to experience a traditional persistent tea service at the communal wooden bar, browse farm-direct teas and artisan teaware, or sign up for a class or workshop.
Productions and Organizations
The Agni Dance Company opened its doors back in 2008, and since then, they have brought the energy of Bollywood dance to community members of all ages. Get moving with either private, group or workshop classes. Or book a choreography class to take your wedding or music video to the next level. If you feel up to it, you can also sign up for fitness classes that combine high-intensity cardio with upbeat Bollywood music.
Austin Asian American Film Festival is committed to showing greatness in Asian and Asian American cinema. In addition to their annual film festival, they host year-round screenings and special events. A lot of films they put to screen are hard to find in the U.S. or are not shown anywhere else. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to catch new perspectives and narratives. You can find more information on upcoming screenings and panels on their website and social channels.
For more than 25 years, Austin Dance India has offered classes and public performances in the traditional technique of Bharata Natyam dance with the goal of empowering students through dance.
Austin Moonflower Performing Arts Group brings a vast range of talented artists to the stage. With their choir, dance team, waist drum band and Qipao fashion team (and more!), they promote Chinese culture through performing arts.
FUSEBOX Festival is a hybrid arts festival that champions adventurous works of art in theater, dance, film, music, literature, visual and culinary arts. The festival takes place over 5 days in venues and locations all over the city. Hundreds of local, national and international artists across all disciplines converge for one of the most unique cultural events in the country.
Offering screenings of carefully curated independent films, Indie Meme's mission is to promote socially relevant independent cinema from South Asia. Look for upcoming events on their website to dive into South Asian culture or to plan a trip to the Austin Indie Meme Festival, held each April.
The Love of China School of Dance is committed to sharing the beauty of traditional Chinese dance to the greater Austin area. An Austin staple, they have operated in the city for over two decades. They are the real deal. You can find updates on upcoming performances here.
Y'all We Asian is Austin's first all-Asian improv troupe, and is composed of some of the city's best comics. Catch their monthly show, Hot Stories, Hotter Comedy — an hour-long improv set inspired by audience members' group chats — at Fallout Theater on the first Friday of each month.
Austin's go-to organization for Asian creatives, Asian Season ATX is a volunteer-run nonprofit that creates dedicated space for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists, makers, and performers. Their annual AAPI Month Kickoff at Austin Beerworks has grown into one of the city's bigger celebrations of AANHPI creativity, expanding from a small gathering to over 50 vendors and 20+ artists in just a few years. Beyond the Kickoff, they host year-round markets, curate gallery shows and champion community projects.
Artists
An art scene requires artists. And there is no shortage of talented creatives here in town making beautiful work for all of us to enjoy. Here are just a few of the artists who can enhance your trip to Austin. Follow them to get updates on available products, future shows, and appearances.
- Christine Hoang is a Vietnamese American playwright, actor, and storyteller.
- Jieun Beth is a conceptual artist dealing in existential topics and personal experiences. Her exhibits have been shown internationally and in town at the Austin Central Library.
- Nagavalli is an Indian-American musician with an “Eastern Soul” style that blends pop, rock, trance, and eastern tradition.
- PJ Raval is a Filipino-American award-winning filmmaker. His documentaries have received international praise and have shown at Austin’s own SXSW and the aGLIFF.
- Steffi Lynn Tsai is muralist, illustrator and creator of the Have A Nice Day brand from Austin. Stop by one of her several Austin murals or the East Austin gift and home good shop, ATX Roommate Collective, she co-owns with other local artists.
Contributed by Jade Fabello
Jade Fabello is an Austin-based writer and a recent graduate of the University of Texas, where he was a double major in the Journalism and the Communication and Leadership programs. You can find his work at JadeFabello.com.
Instagram @Jade__Fab. X: @Jade_FW
