SPJA Expands Charity Auction Recipient Program in 2021 with Yearlong Partnership with Japanese American Cultural & Community Center
Over the years, SPJA has supported organizations such as the Japanese American National Museum, Animator Dormitory, and Japan Society Relief Fund through its annual Anime Expo Charity Auction. SPJA is now expanding its charity recipient program to a yearlong partnership, starting with the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) in Little Tokyo.
"We are excited to broaden our support of nonprofits in our community such as JACCC through our new partnership program,” said Ray Chiang, SPJA CEO. “We look forward to supporting JACCC’s fundraising efforts and programming, as well as collaborating on projects throughout 2021.”
JACCC was founded in 1971 in Little Tokyo, in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles and is one of the largest ethnic arts and cultural centers of its kind in the United States. It was the dream of the visionary Issei and Nisei (first and second generation) Japanese American pioneers to create a permanent center for the community where arts and culture come alive and can flourish for future generations. JACCC hosts many cultural and educational events that appeal to the young and old on their campus. The JACCC’s Center Building houses the George J. Doizaki Gallery, Japanese Cultural Room, conference and meeting rooms, office space for more than 20 nonprofit tenant organizations, and the Toshizo Watanabe Culinary Cultural Center & Toshizo Watanabe Exhibition Center. The JACCC is also home to the 880-seat Aratani Theatre, an outdoor plaza designed by Isamu Noguchi and an award-winning James Irvine Japanese Garden.
“JACCC is honored to be the recipient of SPJA’s Anime Expo Charity Auction, but more importantly, we’re thrilled for the opportunity to partner with SPJA,” said Patricia Wyatt, JACCC President & CEO. “We look forward to celebrating Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture together throughout the year.”
In the coming weeks, you can join JACCC on their Youtube channel for their Retro-Future series as they showcase rare vintage Japanese vinyl records. Plus, visit JACCC’s website to check out their virtual exhibits, Ikebana at Home, on display until March 31, and Bonsai at Home.
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About Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC)
Founded in 1971, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center is one of the largest ethnic arts and cultural centers of its kind in the United States. A hub for Japanese and Japanese American arts and culture and a community gathering place for the diverse voices it inspires–JACCC connects traditional and contemporary; community participants and creative professionals; Southern California and the world beyond. JACCC also provides office space in its five-story complex to a wide variety of nonprofit cultural, educational, and community-based organizations in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit JACCC.org.
About SPJA
Founded in 1992, SPJA is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising public awareness of and educating the public about Japanese animation and pop culture, as well as providing a forum to facilitate learning between professionals and fans through its various events and programs. For more information, please visit spja.org.