In 1983, more than a dozen visionary arts leaders came together to address the pressing need for a strong, collective body of Asian American arts groups to represent the interests of its talented, yet under-recognized members. The Alliance remains the only service organization for the rapidly diversifying and growing Asian American population in the New York metropolitan area. Today, we serve more than 250 artists and organizational leaders who believe that working together as a pan-ethnic, multidisciplinary community is essential to nurturing the development of artists and arts organizations, and to providing a political voice for this community. The Alliance%u2019s greatest strengths are in designing smart and creative ways to build resources for the local Asian American arts community. Programs and services offer both individual artists and their organizations better access to funding, work opportunities, and audiences: