The People's Money (2022-2023)

What problem would you like to solve?

Asian-American-Pacific-Islander-American performers are underrepresented and underserved by the entertainment industry.

Why is it important to solve? Why is it relevant for the community?

Representation and diversity increase community morale and personal self-esteem among marginalized groups. AAPI-American performers and artists can often struggle to receive proper exposure and compensation for their work. We live in a time when Asian-Americans are still being attacked throughout America. This would be a chance to empower artists and their communities.

What idea do you have to address the problem?

I am proposing a week-long performing arts festival in both Chinatown Manhattan and Flushing’s Chinatown. It would feature music, comedy, theatre, dance, and performance art—applicants could either be AAPI talents or local performers from diverse backgrounds. The festival would give these artists a platform to be seen and heard at, pay them for their work, and also offer cheap or free tickets so the communities that are being represented can enjoy their performances for free or at a reduced charge.

Who would that help?

While there are performance opportunities for New Yorkers and AAPI artists in specific disciplines, they often only represent a smaller group. This would be a great showcase of talents from a variety of disciplines at backgrounds directly from NYC and aimed at exciting programming that would interest people of all backgrounds and ages—with special attention given towards AAPI people and families. Being able to perform or attend artistic programming are privileges that should not only be reserved for wealthy people. The festival could also bring more visitors and tourists to Chinatown businesses.

What NYC borough would benefit from your idea?

Manhattan and Queens