30th Anniversary—Events
Honoring Our History, Reimagining Our Future
Celebrate JANM’s 30th Anniversary with special programs, offerings, and events!
JANM Digital Film Festival
The JANM 30th Anniversary Digital Film Festival highlights works produced by the Emmy Award-winning Frank H. Watase Media Arts Center through screenings and live Q&A sessions with those involved with the films.
Public Programs
Please check back for additional public programs that will be presented throughout the year to inspire participants in conjunction with JANM’s 30th Anniversary.
Special Events
JANM’s three annual major events will celebrate the 30th Anniversary—Oshogatsu Family Festival (January), 30th Anniversary Benefit (April), and Natsumatsuri Family Festival (August).
Public Programs
Art Break with Miye Sugino
Thursday, January 12, 2023 • 6 p.m.–7 p.m. (PDT) • FREE
Join Miye Sugino, JANM 30 Under 30 Changemaker, for a virtual workshop exploring memory, loss, and reclamation. Using various techniques, participants will deconstruct photographs to examine memory’s transitory nature—thus rooted in loss—and reconstruct these images to explore how we might gain a sense of agency over such loss. Whether your photographs are in relation to family, history, or childhood, this workshop is about the power in wrestling with such loss in order to reclaim one's own narrative.
Art Break with Keila Sachi Gaballo
Thursday, December 8, 2022 • 6 p.m.–7 p.m. (PDT) • FREE
Join Keila Sachi Gaballo, JANM 30 Under 30 Changemaker, for a virtual workshop exploring the connections between storytelling, mindfulness, and creativity. Together, participants will reflect on the picture book Ikigai: Life’s Purpose by Chiemi Souen and Flor Kaneshiro and create a simple collage to set intentions as we get ready to enter the new year!
Art Break with Kristi Lin
Thursday, October 27, 2022 - 6 p.m.-7 p.m. (PDT) • FREE
Join Kristi Lin, JANM 30 Under 30 Changemaker, for a virtual workshop exploring how the art of weaving can be used to honor both Japanese American traditions and new ideas. Kristi will teach a traditional Japanese weaving technique blended with a contemporary practice–a weaving of the past and present!
Uprising: Reflections on ’92
Thursday, April 21 • 6 p.m.–7:30 p.m. (PDT) • FREE
Josie Huang (KPCC) will moderate a conversation with Professor Nadia Kim (Loyola Marymount University), Angela E. Oh (LACHRC), and Ambassador Michael Lawson (Los Angeles Urban League). This event will explore the impact of the 1992 Los Angeles uprising on our panelists’ lives and work and how we can honor the legacy of this history moving forward.
JANM 30th Anniversary Digital Film Festival
SINCERELY MINÉ OKUBO
Saturday, February 12 • 2 p.m.–3:30 p.m. (PST)
Presented in response to the new short film “Sincerely Miné Okubo,” join scholars and family of Miné Okubo for a dynamic discussion on her art, humor, and legacy.
Barbara Kawakami: A Textured Life
Friday, July 29 • 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. (PDT)
Kawakami started her formal studies of these textiles and clothing at the age of 53. Now at 100, she is still a noted author, historian, and storyteller who has dedicated much of her life to researching and sharing the untold stories of Issei women working on plantations in Hawai`i.
Special Events
Oshogatsu Family Festival: Year of the Tiger
Sunday, January 2 • FREE ALL DAY
Welcome the Year of the Tiger with virtual crafts, cultural activities, and performances!
30th Anniversary Benefit
Saturday, April 30
In person (by invitation only) and online, including 2022 Lexus Opportunity Drawing, Online Auction, and Bid for Education.
2022 Natsumatsuri Family Festival
Saturday, August 13 • 11 a.m.–5 p.m. (PDT)
Join us at the Japanese American National Museum for our annual summer celebration featuring free cultural performances, crafts, and activities for families and kids of all ages!
Programs are free for museum members and included with admission for visitors, unless otherwise noted.
To see a complete listing of JANM’s upcoming programs, check out our Events Calendar.