Basement Workshop

Article summary

Basement Workshop emerged as the first Asian-American political and arts organization in New York City, in existence from 1970 to 1986. Created during the Asian American Movement, it became an umbrella organization for a diverse group of young Asian-Americans seeking creative and new ways of intersecting artistic expression with political and community activism. The rise of the Black Power Movement and protests against the Vietnam War provided a partial yet weighty backdrop for Basement’s inception. Basement Workshop’s original mission was steeped in language suggestive of community grassroots mobilization. The goals spoke of "trying to understand ourselves and our communities; trying to provide resources to serve our people.” Specific objectives included community service education programs, including language classes, and media such as a monthly magazine and newsletters. Basement Workshop’s formative years became shaped by a loose and disparate group of visual, performing and spoken word artists, writers, and politicized community advocates. Some were drop-ins, while others committed themselves for longer stretches. Some shared either compatible or competing loyalties with other community initiatives, such as community education activities, the promotion of affordable health care services, and the pursuit of Maoist political ideology.…

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