In response to the unabated surge in violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI’s) in NYC, we are working with the Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC), to create a fund and disburse grants to AAPI theater artists for car service or taxi fare if they do not feel safe using mass transportation to get to and from work.
Grants of $250—roughly the cost of 10 car rides— will be administered by Indie Theater Fund/IndieSpace with the opportunity to re-apply based on fund availability.
The Indie Theater Fund/IndieSpace is offering stipends of $250 (roughly the cost of 10 car rides), as needed, to AAPI artists who don’t feel safe on the train to cover the cost of transportation via Taxi/Lyft/Uber or other means in NYC. We want you to be able to travel to and from rehearsal (and anywhere) safe!
The recent uptick in violence towards the AAPI community – on public transportation and in general – has been absolutely devastating. We are happy to partner with AAPAC to provide small stipends for safety, allowing artists to move in and out of the theater without fearing for their lives. This is only a bandaid, we know, and does not address the systems of oppression that have brought us here, but we hope it provides some peace and comfort, and practical support in these most difficult times.
Who is eligible?
This application is open to any AAPI identifying NYC-based theater artist in need of support to get home safely. At this time, we will be prioritizing indie, Off, and Off-Off Broadway artists currently traveling to and from in-person rehearsals and performances. All other transportation funding requests will be considered, and funds will be distributed as they are available. Please only complete this application ONCE. After we have been able to serve all applicants, we will consider reapplications for additional funding.
Why does this stipend fund exist?
The NYPD released in Dec 2021 that anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 361% since 2020. Since then, the number of incidents have continued unabated, with Asians—primarily Asian women—being affected. While most of the incidents that were reported did not involve theatre workers, several did. A dancer on his way to a performance at the Public Theatre was attacked on Feb 25 in Seward Park, near the Chinatown apartment where Christina Yuna Lee was murdered on Feb 13 after she was followed home from the subway. A video taken by theatre director Kat Yen on March 10 went viral depicting her standing up to a man on the subway who says in the tape, “All Asians should die. All Asians.”
How can you help?
If you work for an organization that provides funds to artists or are in a place to make a personal contribution, you can donate here.
You can also learn more about Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC) on their website: www.aapacnyc.org
Their mission is to expand the perception of Asian American performers in order to increase their access to and representation on New York City’s stages. AAPAC publishes the only publicly available annual statistics report on racial representation in the NYC area of its kind, and has been a leader in discussions and forums on diversity with artistic institutions and the Broadway community. In 2020, the company was given an Obie Award for advocacy in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
