Asian Arts Initiative is pleased to welcome Joyce Chung to its staff as the organization's first Curator. Joyce will lead AAI's public programs team providing curatorial oversight beginning June 16. Joyce received a Masters in Art in the Humanities with a concentration in Arts history from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a concentration in Asian Art from Wesleyan University.

Joyce brings extensive international experience to AAI's creative team from her work with The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art; Kukje Gallery; and the Hyundai Museum in Seoul, Korea and The Gwangju, Asia's largest Biennial. As Curator, Joyce will be AAI's lead storyteller, translating social and cultural matter shared with AAI by its community and transcribing works shared by AAI's artists into thematic narratives. Joyce is multilingual, speaking Korean, English, German, and Mandarin. AAI will enjoy Joyce's leadership in exploring how localization affects both translating language and cultural content.

Joyce will be integral in supporting AAI's vision for creating community through the power of art, connecting cultural expression and social change as a vehicle to explore the diverse experiences of all communities, those of Asian Americans and all who are touched by shared experiences. We are excited to have Joyce's interest and experience in contemporary community-based art inform our offerings. Her time with Performa in New York included multidisciplinary practice, contemporary visual medium, work with dancers and movement performers, and radio work, all aspects that we will explore in AAI's 2023 season theme, THE BODY. The Curator position is made possible by funding from the National Endowment of the Arts, The Ford Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and The William Penn Foundation and will be sustained by private funders and community support. Joyce will be key in growing AAI's programs staff over the upcoming years.