Community Outreach by Individual

Anida Yoeu Ali, a world-renowned Cambodian-American artist, currently resides in Tacoma. She recently showcased her groundbreaking exhibition, “ANIDA YOEU ALI: HYBRID SKIN, MYTHICAL PRESENCE,” at the Seattle Asian Art Museum. This remarkable achievement marks her as the first Cambodian artist to have a solo exhibition at this prestigious institution. While the exhibition is hosted in Seattle, its impact extends far beyond, resonating throughout western Washington. Alongside this compelling exhibition, Anida has initiated a thought-provoking public art project, “How are you,” which further connects her with the local community. This project features a large sign displayed in front of her home in the hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, inviting passersby to engage in conversations and fostering a sense of connection and belonging.

Anida’s community outreach and engagement have propelled Tacoma’s arts and artists onto a global stage. Beyond her exhibition at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Anida led an art delegation to Indonesia, where they spent two weeks immersed in meetings with officials from the city of Jogja, creative business owners, curators, artists, and art collectives. This trip serves as an insightful case study of a modern city that values the creative capital provided by its artists and has harnessed that capital to forge a thriving creative economy.