Windows of Little Bronze Tokyo 2024

Culture

Windows of Little Bronze Tokyo
Call for Artists: May 11th Community Orientation Retreat

For this Sustainable Little Tokyo’s Windows exhibition series, “Little Bronze Tokyo” represents the connection between neighborhoods as well as past, present, and future dreams of solidarity between Black and Asian American communities. As noted by historian Hillary Jenks, “Little Bronze Tokyo” was a self-identified term for the neighborhood during the post-World War II transition period between Bronzevillle and Little Tokyo. The boundaries of what is considered Little Tokyo and Skid Row have changed over the years. Little Tokyo currently occupies seven city blocks; prior to World War II, it was considerably larger and was home to an estimated 30,000 Japanese Americans. Now there are approximately 4,000 residents, who are 39.6% Asian, 25.9% African American, 19.5% Latino, and 12.2% White.

Similarly, the fifty square block area immediately south of Little Tokyo, now known as the Skid Row neighborhood, has changed over the years. In fact, parts of present-day Skid Row were once part of Little Tokyo and, during World War II, of Bronzeville. Now there are approximately 10,000 residents, 40% Black/African American, 22.3% White, 16.3% Asian, 15.1% Latino, 2.5% American Indian/Alaska Native, 0.6% Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander, 3.1% 2+ races, and 0.5% other races.

Both communities have been forcibly shaped and reshaped by racial covenants, redlining, disinvestment, loss of affordable housing, and systemic racism. Despite this, both neighborhoods have grown into major centers of arts and culture. Their shared history includes multiple community landmarks and cultural leaders like Biddy Mason, the jazz of the Bronzeville era, activist artists like Nobuko Miyamoto, and Black/African American and Japanese American and Asian American culture.

For more background about the history of Little Bronze Tokyo, we suggest the following brief articles:

Bronzeville: The Rise and Fall of Little Tokyo’s Black Community (Hillary Jenks for the Rafu Shimpo, 3/22/23
Urban Rambles – Exploring Bronzeville with Maya and Michael (Eric Brightwell, 4/19/17

This project builds upon the past two iterations of Sustainable Little Tokyo’s successful Windows exhibition series. In past cycles, artists created two-dimensional artwork that was printed as posters on storefronts throughout Little Tokyo. In this cycle, we are open to artists who might create posters or other artwork spanning a wide range of mediums, including live performance, film, music, writing, or workshops that engage the public. Artists selected will be commissioned to develop artwork and/or artistic projects or events to be sited at either Azay restaurant in Little Tokyo and/or LA CAN in Skid Row.

Who is eligible to attend the Community Orientation Retreat?

Who will be invited to submit proposals for artwork?
SLT anticipates remaining open to proposals from artists who meet the following criteria:

What is the selection process for proposed artist commissions?
Up to 6 artists/groups will be commissioned to create artwork or projects for one or both of our neighborhood sites. Artist proposals will be reviewed by an advisory committee of Skid Row and Little Tokyo community stakeholders, and final selections will be made by the SLT project team. Considerations will include:

How will artists be compensated?
Artists or groups selected for commissions will each receive a $1,250 artist commission fee. In addition, SLT will be responsible for printing and installation or can provide a project budget of up to $500 for each selected artist/group (to be determined in conversation with each commissioned artist or group). Artists will not be paid for attending the Community Orientation Retreat.

When does all this happen?
This is our current timeframe, still subject to potential adjustments:

Register for the May 11th Community Orientation Retreat here. Registration is free but required in advance. Deadline to register is May 3rd, 2024.