TORONTO (December 11, 2003) – The Toronto chapter of the North American Association of Asian Professionals with the assistance of Councillor Olivia Chow are launching an historic fund to benefit Asian-Canadian artists. The first of its kind in Canada, ACAF (Asian-Canadian Artists Fund) will award $10,000 in grants to three Asian-Canadians in Spring 2004, financed through a fundraising banquet. A press conference offering full details will be held at the NAAAP Toronto Christmas Gala on Saturday, December 13, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Ball Room - Convention Floor (100 Front Street West). Councillor Olivia Chow, ACAF judge Tien Huang, owner of the Bau-Xi Galleries of Toronto and Vancouver, and NAAAP Toronto President Ben Hum will speak.

The NAAAP ACAF banquet takes place on March 6, 2004 at the Ruby Restaurant in Scarborough (1571 Sandhurst Circle). The $70 tickets will include a full Chinese meal, live entertainment by Asian-Canadian performers, and door prizes. Three grants totaling $10,000 shall be awarded to one artist in film & video, visual arts (painting, photography, sculpture), and performance (theatre, dance). Grants will be awarded to Ontario artists of Asian descent by an independent panel of judges hand-picked from the Asian-Canadian community such as film producer Anita Lee, theatre producer Derrick Chua, and MuchMusic VJ Hannah Sung. The winners will be announced at the March 6 fundraising banquet. In a further commitment to Asian-Canadian artists, NAAAP’s banquet will contribute towards the production of the interracial short film, Grange Avenue, while NAAAP’s January 17, 2004 third anniversary party will take place at the Bau-Xi Gallery (340 Dundas Street West).

Applications are now being accepted. Sponsorship and application guidelines as well as March 6 details are available to download at www.naaaptoronto.org. The application deadline is Friday, January 16, 2004 (postmarked).