Chinatown Media & Arts Collaborative (CMAC) is proud to present its inaugural event, Neon Was Never Brighter, the first-ever contemporary art festival in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Offering a glimpse into the future of a historic neighborhood, multiple blocks will engage with visitors through unique art activations created specifically for this spectacular event. Come dream with us.
The genesis of Chinatown Media & Arts Collaborative, a collective platform anchored in San Francisco that celebrates, explores, and supports leading and pioneering creative expressions at the intersection of community, culture, contemporary art, and media, is vital during this period in Chinatown’s history. The organization’s event, Neon Was Never Brighter, reflects on Chinatown's resilience and fortitude—by honoring its unique history and diverse cultural landscape—whilst affirming an initiative of optimism and hope for the future. Neon is a metaphor for Chinatown’s brightness and strength; a light fully aglow embodied and represented through its people.
Altogether, the activations included in the event are embedded in broader social practices and speak to the intersection of visual arts, media, history of Chinatown, AAPI narratives and cultural traditions, rituals and ceremonies, and community-oriented activities that remark on new beginnings and future prosperities.
Curated by Candace Huey
This event, presented by Chinatown Media & Arts Collaborative (CMAC), harnesses the power of art and culture to contribute to the social and economic recovery of Chinatown as well as the shaping of a more inclusive and just society.“霓虹閃爍愛華埠”通過藝術創作 和免費表演,與社區探討未來, 老幼咸宜,合家統請
CMAC is an unprecedented partnership that was formed to establish Edge on the Square. Its founding members include Chinese for Affirmative Action, the Center for Asian American Media, the Chinese Culture Center & Foundation of San Francisco, the Chinatown Community Development Center, Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation, and the Chinese Historical Society of America. The collaborative sees the new platform as a transformative addition to Chinatown, complementing the area’s existing restaurants and businesses and spurring economic development. The six founding organizations represent best practices in their field and each contributes their expertise to ensure a successful launch of Edge on the Square, which is slated to open in Spring 2025.
