Over the last 15 months, a compulsory change of pace rocked Seattle's creative community. Artists sustained major financial blows and created or practiced in isolation. The abrupt change brought inspiration to some creators while causing hardships for most.

Concurrently, intolerance intensified as both the virus and racialized rhetoric spread. Violence toward Asian Americans surged in the US, up about 150% from 2019, as reported by California State University, San Bernardino.

In King County, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders faced disproportionately high COVID-19 infection rates as well. In November they were seven times higher than those of whites, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

In the face of such violence and heightened public health inequities, creatives in these communities today face compounded challenges to their arts practices. That is the realization that prompted Tia Ho, 26, to partner with artists of Asian American and Pasifika descent in an ongoing giveaway series called "UPLIFT," which also provides them with emergency relief.

Ho is a first-generation Vietnamese American, born and raised in Seattle. She works as KEXP's social media and digital community analyst, recently spearheading the station's first-ever Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration.

"Around last May, when we first started seeing racially motivated and COVID-[influenced] violence, I was feeling frustrated, to say the least," she said.

In an early conversation with prospective artist Kalei?okalani Matsui (she), Ho described her dreams of partnership with the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. Little did she realize she was speaking not only with the founder of the Polynesian dance troupe Huraiti Mana but also the director of museum services at Wing Luke.

"It was such a serendipitous connection," Ho explained. "Wing Luke is the only community- based museum elevating pan-Asian stories in the country."

Matsui connected Ho with the museum and took part in the fifth week of the giveaway series, offering one lucky raffle winner six months of free dance classes and a Huraiti Mana hoodie, in total valuing $300.

Mutual benefits

Each week, a different artist or creative contributes to a giveaway that participants can win by donating money or posting an Instagram story. Proceeds are then used to benefit Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) artists and creatives who are struggling.

Since the series began on April 12, Ho and Silva have been given feedback from participants and artists indicating a strong positive impact. So far, via just donations and social media marketing, $6,182 has been raised for the artists involved.

Alexis L. Silva (he/they), a first-generation Salvadoran American artist, is the assistant manager of visitor services and events at Wing Luke. They hold the title of project lead for UPLIFT and described Wing Luke's response as "all hands on deck" from the beginning.

Thanks to this partnership, Ho and Silva have been able to reach and recruit Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika artists who "continued to elevate the stories and experiences of [their] communities in the face of uncertainty and increasing anti-Asian xenophobia and violence."

Several participating artists have also brought their Queer identities and intersectional arts to the showcase. According to Ho, it was a priority to include diversity not only across ethnic heritages and art forms but also at every intersection possible.

"It is important to recognize intersectional exacerbation of the pandemic experience," she said, "and important for us to celebrate the art that has come out of the struggle."

At a minimum, UPLIFT brings exposure to voices facing elevated erasure and discrimination during the pandemic. Participants and followers are connecting with creators that are new to them, and artists are growing their followings.

In addition to capital relief, Silva added, "this series is being utilized by artists and creatives to network and make lasting community and relationships. Artists feel like they have been forgotten, and person-to-person interaction is so vital to continuing on in their work."

From culinary artists to audio and visual artists, relationships across mediums might be making way for new creative developments, thanks to UPLIFT.

In the meantime, the giveaways continue through June. Find more details on the series or upcoming artists at