Welcome to Asian American Art & Culture Initiative

The Asian American Art & Culture Initiative (AAACI) was founded to address a profound need: to preserve long-forgotten Asian American stories and to empower future generations to shape their own future.

For too long, Asian Americans have been stereotyped as the “model minority”—expected to work hard, stay silent, and remain invisible in the broader cultural narrative. But history tells us otherwise, and so does our present. By uncovering overlooked histories and amplifying creative voices, we reclaim our rightful place in the American story.

AAACI exists to break down barriers, challenge misconceptions, and create a vibrant platform where art, history, and community action intersect. Through exhibitions, oral histories, youth programs, and collaborative projects, we preserve stories that risk being lost to time and inspire young people to carry them forward—equipped to imagine and shape the future on their own terms.

I am June Xu—an artist and a mother of two boys. During COVID, my family witnessed firsthand the rise of AAPI hate. It left me deeply concerned about my children’s future in the U.S. To respond, I turned to art and history as a way to counter and heal. That choice gave birth to the Asian American Art & Culture Initiative.

From the very beginning, my only goal was to create one powerful exhibition—Roots Unveiled. I never imagined it would receive such overwhelming positive response or grow into multiple side projects. But that success gave me faith: when we have a vision and act on it, we can make it real.

In just two years, we built AAACI from scratch. In 2025, we proudly made our flagship exhibition, Roots Unveiled, a reality. And now, we are expanding our work through Besides Math, a youth-focused exhibition, Resonance, and Herlinda Wong Chew—projects that shine light on long-forgotten stories about Asian American history in Texas.

Asian American Art & Culture Initiative empowers artists and enrich our community through thoughtful and impactful exhibitions. Here’s how we make it happen:

1. Community-Centered Themes
   We design exhibition topics and themes that align with our community's needs, reflecting its challenges, stories, and aspirations. By connecting art to real-world issues, we ensure our exhibitions resonate deeply and foster meaningful dialogue.
2. Activating Public Spaces
   We identify underutilized public spaces and transform them into vibrant hubs for artistic expression. By bringing art into accessible locations, we engage broader audiences and create shared cultural experiences.
3. Global Collaboration and Idea Exchange
   We collaborate with international curators to introduce diverse perspectives and facilitate cross-cultural exchanges. These partnerships allow artists to grow, learn, and connect with broader networks, enriching the creative process and outcomes.
4. Connect with the local art community

               We position ourselves as ambassadors to connect with the greater community in 

               America to extend dialogs and promote a more inclusive environment 

By combining these strategies, we provide artists with valuable opportunities to showcase their work while making art an integral part of our community's fabric.