Performing Arts Foundation for Asian-American

Performing Arts Foundation for Asian-Americans

(PAFAA)

P. O. Box 39A62 • Los Angeles, CA 90039

Phone (323) 666-4813 • Fax (323) 669-1229 • www.pafaa.org　

Mission Statement

PAFAA is a non-profit public organization for the purpose of fostering the spirit of cultural interaction for the common good and general welfare of the Asian-American community at large. Our primary goal is to assist the development of young Asian-American performing art talents in pursuit of excellence. To accomplish this, scholarships are awarded annually to qualified candidates in college and in high school senior class. Our secondary goal is to promote diverse types of performing arts, such as Western classical operas, American Broadway musical theatre, Western dance, and Asian ethnic dance. The foundation sponsors concerts and performances in order to provide talented artists opportunities to perform as well as Asian and general community the exposure to music, dance, and other types of performances.

Historical Perspectives

Julia L. Wu, Trustee Emeritus of the Los Angeles Community Colleges Board, a life time music lover and vocalist, founded PAFAA. Julia firmly believes in music and arts as the heart and soul of human civilization that not only enrich life and spirit but also enhance world harmony and peace. With a pianist son in the family, a product of a music conservatory in New York, Julia could feel the pains of the musicians whose efforts and contribution receive very little support and recognition from the society. PAFAA was first incorporated in 2000 and by early part of 2001 was granted by IRS tax exempt status as a 501C3 non-profit organization. After several months of persuasion and solicitation, the founder was able to generate the support from a hundred charter members including her own family, relatives, friends, and supporters, whose generous contribution helped to lay a foundation for PAFAA. By middle part of September, 2001, PAFAA was officially formed and Board of Directors installed. Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca both graciously committed to the role of serving as Honorary Chairmen on the Foundation Board.

Scholarship Programs

PAFAA awards ten scholarships ($500 each) annually to the full time college and high school senior class students of Asian ancestry. Six of the ten scholarships are allocated for the music category and four for the dance category. Music category covers instrumental (piano, violin, strings, and winds) and vocal (classical and Broadway musicals) Dance category covers Western dance such as ballet, tap dance, modern jazz (excluding Hip Hop), and Asian Ethnic dances. Application filing begins in August and ends in mid-October. Applicants have to submit application form along with most recent year transcript, plus application fee to PAFAA. Application forms may be down loaded from Website: http://www.pafaa.org. Applicants are required to be U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, with a GPA of 3.0 or better and to be personally auditioned by a panel of distinguished judges with academic background and professional expertise. The audition takes place in the latter part of October. Scholarship winners are mandated to personally receive the award and to perform during the Annual Scholarship Award Concert scheduled for mid-November. In the past four years, some 34 college and high school Senior class students have been awarded with PAFAA Scholarships worth of tens and thousands of dollars.

Annual Fundraising & Award Banquet

The Annual Fundraising and Award Banquet has been a tradition for PAFAA since its founding. The Banquet usually takes place in the fall, and is highlighted by the Visionary Awards and Cultural Performances. Visionary Awards are intended to honor individuals who have contributed to the advocacy and support of performing arts. In the past, PAFAA's Award honorees included Michael Antonovich, Los Angeles county supervisor and an advocate for L.A. County High School for the Arts; the late Beula Quo, actress and founder of the East/West Player; Dr. Stanley M. Toy Jr., community leader, philanthropist, and supporter of arts, and L. A. county Sheriff Leroy Baca for his support and advocacy for Asian ethnic arts. In 2003 and 2004 Hollywood legendary actress and Mr. C. Y. Lee, world renowned novelist of The Flower Drum Song were respectively awarded for their life time achievements in arts. PAFAA's 5^th Anniversary Banquet in 2006 honored legendary Hollywood actress Lisa Lu for her life time achievement, and "Winnie the Pooh Lady" Shirley Slesinger, for her life time service to children of cross culture. The Annual Banquet also showcases the young Asian-American performing artists among whom there are PAFAA Scholarship Winners. The banquet, attended by 5oo some celebrities and supporters has inspired hundreds of young talented artists and generated tremendous interest and support from the community.

Annual Scholarship Award Concert

The Annual Scholarship Award Concert is designed to showcase the scholarship winners and to provide the community exposure to the artistic performances. Scholarships winners formally receive their awards before they perform. Occasionally, community artists are invited as special guests to join the performance in the concert. The annual concert usually draws an audience of several hundred and gains favorable reviews. In the past four years, approximately two hundred candidates representing twenty some universities and colleges, and a dozen high schools, filed applications. Thirty four of them received PAFAA scholarships. The annual concert has inspired many young artists and generated tremendous community interest and support.

Other Community Services

PAFAA, besides implementing its own goals, also makes efforts to help other arts groups in community. In spite of our limited resource, we managed to co-sponsor and donate to Youth Symphony Orchestra from Shanghai, China, Fundraising Concert for San Fernando Valley Chinese Culture Association, Chinese Engineers and Scientists Association, Chinese American Professional Society, and Shin Dance Company.

Charter the Course for the Future

As a young but vital organization, we are thankful to our conscientious Board, hard working Officers, generous Advisory Council, and dedicated Scholarship Committee. Their volunteering services is PAFAA's great pride. In the future PAFAA will not only strengthen the scholarship program but also increase its role and broaden its base. We plan to launch plans such as proposing for grants, reaching out to the youths and the seniors, networking with the corporate world, and enhancing cultural interaction and exchange in the community. PAFAA's success relies heavily on the community support. May we take this opportunity to thank you and request your continuous support so PAFAA's future goals and mission will be further achieved.