Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have a diverse, deep heritage spanning thousands of years and have shaped the history of the United States. Every year in May, we recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by celebrating the accomplishments, history, and culture of Asian American and Pacific Islanders.
Typically, we celebrate this special month at our libraries with in-person events, crafts, author readings, and community celebrations. Due to shelter in place, we'll have to get a little creative this year! Let's recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage month through film and museum tours. You can also view the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month's website, opens a new window to find music, poetry and literature, videos, and art exhibits.
Celebrate APAHM Through Kanopy
Kanopy, opens a new window offers more than 30,000 of the world's best films, from award-winning documentaries to classics to new releases. You can sign up for free with your library card and watch up to 10 movies per month. You can download the Kanopy app for your preferred viewing device. (Apple TV, opens a new window | Google Play, opens a new window | Roku, opens a new window | Chromecast, opens a new window | Fire TV, opens a new window)
Follow the list below for Kanopy movies, shows, and documentaries that feature Asian or Pacific Island landscapes or characters. You can also search within Kanopy, opens a new window for films related to Asia, too.
- Native Planet Program Pt. 1: Restoring the Mauri, opens a new window
- Hunt for the Wilderpeople, opens a new window
- The Islanders, opens a new window
- Hawaii Valcanoes, opens a new window
- Proof of Loyalty, opens a new window
- Heart of the Sea: A Portrait of Legendary Surfer Rell Sunn, opens a new window
- He Toki Huna: New Zealand in Afghanistan, opens a new window
- The Endless Summer, opens a new window
- Mighty Uke, opens a new window
- Japan: Geography and Early Cultures, opens a new window
Tour Museums and Exhibits
Many museums have exhibits and displays of art, history and culture in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The Smithsonian's Asian Pacific American Center, opens a new window is a great place to start! The Smithsonian has a number of free online exhibits available for viewing.
- Folk Hero: Remembering Yuri Kochiyama Through Grassroots Art, opens a new window
- A Day in the Life of Asian Pacific America, opens a new window
- The Nesei Soldier: Congressional Gold Medal, opens a new window
- H-1B, opens a new window
- Art Intersections: Asian-Latino Pop-Up Museum, opens a new window
How are you celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month? Let us know in the comments.
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