Queer Youth Art Storytellers

We invite Asian American/Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+*-identifying high school students who are committed to better understanding themselves, storytelling, meeting other LGBTQIA+-identifying youth and adults, and building their creative artistry.  Students learn from community artists and prospective mentors through sessions focused on topics including intergenerational healing, sexuality & gender, and more.

This program, started in 2022, is designed for students who are committed to storytelling, wanting to themselves freely and creatively, and learning more about their identities and cultures (including being along the queer spectrum of gender and sexual orientation and expression and of Asian and Pasifika descent).  We want to help youth delve deeper into how individual and collective artistic practices and expressions rooted in body and land can help youth heal and advocate for changes to issues facing their homes, schools, and the greater community.

As of 2025, we have brought QYAS to life in four school years and 10 semesters making space for Asian Pasifika LGBQTIA+ youth-centered arts, healing, leadership, and mentorship for personal growth, collective action, social change, and substance-use prevention. We're deeply grateful to the 34 youth interns and participants, all of our amazing teaching artists, venues and collaborators (including Oakland Unified School District, 510 Firehouse Projects, Eastside Arts Alliance, Understory Oakland Worker Collective, Trybe), and funding support from community donors, California Arts Council, The California Endowment, Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, and Elevate Youth California at The Center at Sierra Health Foundation.  

2024-2025 QYAS Zine

Link to Zine

2022-2025 Program Gallery Photos

2022 Program Video