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Guide to the Asian American Dance Performances collection
CEMA 135
CEMA 135
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Table of contents
Title: Asian American Dance Performances collection
Identifier/Call Number: CEMA 135
Contributing Institution:
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Collections
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
6.0 linear feet
(7 boxes: 1 document box, 4 albums, 2 flat box)
Date (inclusive): ca. 1974-2006
Abstract: The Asian American Dance Performances collection spans the years 1974 to 2006. The collection consists of posters, exhibit
pamphlets, DVD and videotapes, photographs and informational material about the organization.
Service copies of audiovisual items may need to be made before viewing or listening. Please consult Special Collections staff
for further information.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or
quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given
on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.
[Identification of Item], Asian American Dance Performances archives, CEMA 135. Department of Special Collections, UC Santa
Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Donated by Jennifer Banta of the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Center of behalf of Asian American Dance Performances, October
2011.
Processed by Callie Bowdish, Janet Chen, and Suzane Im 2013.
Asian American Dance Performances (AADP) is the oldest Asian American dance organization in the United States and the world.
Formerly known as the Asian American Dance Collective (AADC), it formed in 1974 in response to the civil rights activism and
racial tensions of the time, aiming to change the perception and participation of the Asian American diaspora in dance performance.
AADC provided low fee dance classes in the San Francisco Bay Area to promote an interest in and appreciation of dance in local
Asian American communities. The organization also created a supportive environment for Asian American artists to teach, choreograph,
and perform. In 1982, AADC formed a resident dance company called Unbound Spirit. Asian American Dance Collective became Asian
American Dance Performances (AADP) in 1992 due to a new understanding of the organisation's purpose. The organization now
focuses on supporting Asian American artists and arts administrators to enable Asian Americans in the San Francisco Bay Area
to express, interpret, and articulate their cultural heritage and experiences through dance. It also serves as a clearing
house for Asian American dancers to receive information and to network with other Asian American dance artists.
Much of AADP dance expression grew from the roots of classic and traditional dance to develop greater inclusion in the mainstream
forms of ballet and modern dance. A new era of multicultural activity re-examines the radical roots of tradition, including
contemporary artists developing fusion forms, and challenging the boundaries of diversity that thrive within the Asian American
landscape.
Adapted from:
Asian American Dance Performances. (2008). Mission Statement. Retrieved from: http://unboundspirit.wordpress.com/about/
The Asian American Dance Performances collection covers the years 1974 to 2006. The collection spans 3.5 linear feet within
six boxes. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs from various dance performances. The collection also contains
posters, exhibit pamphlets, DVDs, tape videos, newsletters, and informational material about the organization.
There are five series: Organization records, Miscellaneous, Photos, Posters, and Videos. The Organization records and Miscellaneous
series include flyers, newsletters, organizational documents, programs and announcements and promotional materials. The photo
series contains four albums with various photos from practices, performances, and other events. There are also photos highlighting
individual performers. The Posters series has AADP posters and posters for specific performances. Some of the posters are
by Nancy Hom. The videos series includes various performances, AADP's 30th and an interview.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Hom, Nancy
Asian American theater -- California -- San Francisco
Dance California