Dear Cultural Ally,

My name is JI Yang, and I currently serve as the Associate Executive Director at the Heritage Museum of Asian Art (HMAA), in Chicago. I have been with the organization since 2024. In addition to my role at HMAA, I also serve as a guest curator at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago and contribute to several arts and culture organizations throughout Chicago.

One of my early projects was working with the Chinese American Museum of Chicago—helping secure resources and funding, developing programs connected to their exhibitions, and building outreach to artists, scholars, and community leaders. Since then, I have continued to support CAMOC, including developing its first Pride Month exhibition and program series—an initiative that has grown into an ongoing oral history and multidisciplinary program.

I also supported the Heritage Museum of Asian Art by managing a six-month program series in response to our Year of the Dragon exhibition, followed by Stitching Stories: Cross-Cultural Healing through Quilting and Textile Arts, a project that builds relationships between Asian and African American communities through workshops, storytelling, and exhibitions that was part of CCA’s cultural festival, Journey Chicago. At the time, the museum was experiencing major staff transitions. In July 2025, I was entrusted to step into leadership.

I have worked in the art and culture field for more than 20 years through various forms—collectives, clubs, corporations, and non-profits, both in China and the United States. I’ve witnessed too many arts and culture organizations—full of passion and deep commitment—struggle to survive. Without clear direction, guidance, or adequate resources, organizations can fall into a harmful cycle: lack of funding leads to lack of staff, which leads to limited capacity and fewer activities, which in turn makes it even harder to secure funding. I have seen how collaboration is essential to breaking this cycle. It is my core belief, proven through experience, that we can only survive and thrive by working together. A community-centered approach is the only way to truly understand what we should be doing and whom we should be serving.

This is why the Chicago Cultural Alliance has been so important. CCA emphasizes partnership, resource-sharing, and mutual support, offering member organizations guidance that strengthens operations, planning, and long-term sustainability. With such a small team, the impact they make feels almost miraculous.

The Heritage Museum of Asian Art has benefited tremendously from CCA’s support. At HMAA, we approach heritage collectively and work to build a shared future. The Chicago Cultural Alliance plays an essential role in this ecosystem. CCA amplifies the work of community-based museums and cultural centers—organizations like ours that often operate with limited resources but have deep, lasting impact. Through convenings, shared resources, advocacy, and a strong commitment to community, CCA helps make our work more connected, more resilient, and more sustainable, strengthening the cultural fabric of Chicago as a whole.

Yours sincerely,
JI Yang

By donating to the Chicago Cultural Alliance today, you will join us in working towards our vision for a city where all communities have a voice and cross-cultural dialogue is an integral part of Chicago’s civic fabric.

You can Donate to CCA’s Annual Appeal HERE