Calling all San Francisco Bay Area emerging API artists -- the deadline for applying to Kearny Street Workshop's APAture 2016 festival is July 15, 2016! This year's theme is "Here." Submissions are accepted online and by mail in the following genres: Comics and Illustration, Film, Literary Arts, Music, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. Make sure to read the FAQs page, fill out the application and send any questions to apature[at]kearnystreet.org.

Kearny Street Workshop (KSW) is the oldest API multidisciplinary arts organization in the country. Established in 1972, KSW has thrived as the epicenter of API arts in the San Francisco community, offering a wide variety of classes and salons, promoting curated exhibitions and performances, and hosting screenings and other arts events.

APAture shines as the crown jewel of KSW's achievements, and has helped launched the careers of artists such as successful comedian Kristina Wong, famous graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, widely-exhibited sculpture and installation artist Michael Arcega, established installation and media production artist Taraneh Hemami, popular story board artist Hellen Jo and award-winning poet Barbara Jane Reyes. 

Now in its 16th year, APAture is KSW's annual multidisciplinary arts festival that seeks to celebrate and engage emerging API Bay Area artists in meaningful political dialogue and action. "Over the past few years or so a lot of our conversations have revolved dislocation and the rapid changes happening around our communities," says Jason Bayani, Program Manager at Kearny Street Workshop."We would like to keep that momentum going strong by showcasing the vast talent in the API community to inspire fresh and innovative ideas for community-building and political mobilization."

In addition to the opportunity to collaborate with other talented artists and gain valuable exposure, APAture artists have much to gain from participation in the festival. "Even before the festival concludes, artists across disciplines usually begin collaborating on small projects together, says Michelle Lin, a past Literary Arts participant. "APAture is a special space where we come together to dream of the possibilities of our futures, and to bring those dreams into action as well. APAture is our celebration of each other, with each other, as we insist on our work, and our presence."

 APAture 2016 will take place starting September 30, and continue until October 16, 2016. Venues will include Arc Gallery & Studios and the San Francisco Main Library, among others to be announced shortly.