Claudine Cheng is an attorney special- izing in regulatory compliance, corpo- rate governance, and land use in San Francisco. A com- munity advocate and activist, she believes that one of the most powerful tools for city wellbeing is a strong arts and culture scene. Currently, Claudine serves on the San Francisco Film Commission and the boards of the Asian Art Museum, Chinatown Community Development Center, Commonwealth Club World Affairs, and San Francisco Symphony. She is also the president of the APA Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit she founded to coordi- nate the annual celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month and to provide a forum for community collaborations.
Claudine has been a 黑料传送门member since 1997, and she served on SPUR鈥檚 board of directors from 2001 to 2009. She sees her many civic involvements as 鈥渙pportunities to understand the different fabrics that make up our society and to connect the dots.鈥 We asked her about the role arts and culture initiatives play in a city鈥檚 health and wellbeing.
How do you see the role of the arts in strengthening a city?
Art and culture provide a neutral space for people to connect and be inspired to see things from different perspectives. In cities where many residents come from diverse backgrounds, the arts transcend language barriers and foster a stronger sense of community. I was very happy to read the 黑料传送门policy brief Culture as Catalyst, about the role of art and culture in revitalizing downtowns (see page 32). Indeed, I feel fortunate to be living and working in San Francisco, where there are so many world-class museums and galleries, a robust public art program, and a broad range of performing arts. These cultural assets play a unique role in enriching our experience and, in turn, strengthening our city. If we would like to see a society that is more inclusive, art and culture are mediums through which we can achieve that goal.
Tell us a little bit about your work with the APA Heritage Foundation and AAPI Heritage Month, in particular. How do you see that work aligning with your goals for San Francisco?
AAPI Heritage Month is that special time of the year designated by federal law for celebrating the history and contributions of AAPI communities. In San Francisco, where more than one-third of the population is AAPI, the month offers an opportunity to bring together diverse ethnic groups to plan a month-long celebration that showcases unique aspects of their art and culture. I also see it as a way of creating opportunities to be inclusive and to invite everyone to be a part of the celebration.
Art and culture provide a neutral space for people to connect and be inspired to see things from different perspectives. In cities where many residents come from diverse backgrounds, the arts transcend language barriers and foster a stronger sense of community.
Through promoting appreciation of diverse cultural heritage, we can strengthen the wellbeing of our society. For example, how do we address anti-Asian sentiment? I believe an effective way, in addition to having dialogue, is to create opportunities where people from different backgrounds can come together and learn more about each other鈥檚 history and culture. Over time, these opportunities will foster community bonds and a network of mutual support.
The APA Heritage Foundation was founded in 2009 to coordinate and sustain the annual AAPI Heritage Month celebration. Through the years, our goals have expanded to include supporting cross-cultural and multicultural programs. For instance, in February, we co-host the joint celebration of Lunar New Year and Black History Month with the San Francisco Public Library and the Human Rights Commission. And in May, we partner with Value Culture to curate programs for the joint celebration of AAPI and Jewish American Heritage Month.
What is your vision for the future of the Bay Area?
The San Francisco Bay Area has so much to offer. I hope to see more collaborations among cities and regional organizations so that there is a coordinated approach to tackling issues that impact the quality of our lives. I have lived in San Francisco for more than 40 years, and my wish is for the city to emerge again as an ideal place to live, where it鈥檚 affordable to raise a family. San Francisco has so much to offer, especially in the art and culture realm. We should work together to amplify and build on the positives.
What have you seen recently that makes you feel hopeful?
The resolve of San Francisco鈥檚 policymakers to implement policies that will revitalize downtown and support neighborhood businesses 鈥 whether it鈥檚 energizing downtown with entertainment zones, encouraging night markets in neighborhoods, or making it easier for small businesses to operate. These are positive factors that will keep the city moving forward. Despite all the ongoing challenges we face right now, there are lots of positive vibes out there, and I鈥檓 feeling quite optimistic about the future. 鉁