Cut Fruit Collective empowers vulnerable AAPI neighborhoods through community art in two main ways: 1. Placekeeping and 2. Capacity Building.

We approach placekeeping as a collaborative process that engages and inspires residents and visitors alike to reimagine and strengthen their connection to an existing place and neighborhood. Many of the working class AAPI neighborhoods in the Bay Area remain vulnerable to the immense pressures of gentrification. Our placekeeping activities focus on working with the community to plant the seeds of growth in the way the residents and business owners envision.

Through our community donations, we’ve been able to commission murals by AAPI artists for AAPI owned small businesses including a business in Oakland Chinatown affected by a devastating fire. In October 2021, we organized the Joy on Joice Street Festival in partnership with the Chinese Historical Society of America located in San Francisco Chinatown. In the face of all the hardship Chinatown has faced, this activation brought together AAPI makers, artists, performers, and community organizations together as a first step toward healing and solidarity.

Our second main focus is capacity building. Our creative services program connects AAPI artists and designers to help serve the needs of AAPI heritage small businesses and community organizations. A current project we’re working on is helping to redesign a menu for a Little Saigon restaurant to replace a painstakingly handwritten 8 page menu with a more functional yet visually appealing menu for their customers. We also provide creative support for community fundraisers for instance a fundraiser with a local farm and senior center to feed AAPI seniors with locally grown, culturally relevant fresh produce.

We hope to continue expanding our programs and services as there’s much need and demand to support local AAPI neighborhoods as well as fairly compensate AAPI artists.