The mission of the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) is to provide spaces, services, resources, and programs through an Asian American Pacific Islander perspective. The vision is to empower Austin's diverse communities through cultural understanding and life-enhancing opportunities.
Starting June 07, 2021, the Asian American Resource Center is open by appointment only, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Please call 512-974-1700 or email us at AARC@austintexas.gov to make a reservation. We are also continuing to provide virtual events for the community. Visit our Events Calendar to learn more.
Current onsite, self-guided, activities available:
- Outdoor exercise equipment
- Senior garden
- View outdoor exhibits
- Self-guided meditation in Zen Garden (by appointment only)
Visitors and staff must stay at least 6 feet apart. Masks are strongly encouraged in the facility. Restrooms and water fountains are not available for public use.
Digital Programs
In light of the recent Stay Home-Work Safe Order requiring residents to stay home as much as possible, the AARC is offering free digital programs for the public! From lessons and interactive arts and crafts to artist talks and virtual galleries, the AARC offers engaging programming every week beginning in early April.
CelebrASIA 2021
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Catch the recording of our virtual CelebrASIA 2021 HERE. The Asian American Resource Center hosted our annual signature event, CelebrASIA, in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on May 1st, 2021. This year's theme was Uniting Cultures to celebrate and honor our diverse and multifaceted Asian Pacific American identities, histories and cultures.
Senior Programs
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The Asian American Resource Center (AARC) senior programming is suspended until further notice. Check digital programing page for virtual activities and events for seniors.
ArtsResponders: Social Practice Responds to COVID-19
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The Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s Division of Museums and Cultural Programs is launching ArtsResponders: Social Practice Responds to COVID-19. Sites including The Dougherty Arts Center, the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, the George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, the Asian American Resource Center, as well as the Elisabet Ney Museum and Oakwood Cemetery Chapel, have commissioned artists to train in Social Practice and engage the community in an artistic response to cope with and overcome COVID-19. The program runs October 5, 2020 through March 31, 2021.
This year's selected ArtResponders Artists are Lizzie Chen and Kengo Hioki aka Peelander Yellow.
Click here to learn more about the artists and their projects.
AARC Annual Report: October 2019 - September 2020
The AARC Annual Report highlights the center's past fiscal year's events, exhibits, programs, and the communities served. Translated text for the AARC Annual Report are available in Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Burmese.