August is Lao Minnesotan Artists Heritage Month

This August is the 3rd Lao Minnesotan Artists Heritage Month! A big congratulations to all of the Lao Minnesotan artists, their friends and family who've come together as a community to share their vision, their memories and dreams with each other and the world!

Minnesota is home to over 50 Lao American artists in different stages of their careers, including the only two Lao Americans in the country out of 200,000 to hold fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the only two Lao to hold Archibald Bush Artist Fellowships, a Carey Prize in Spoken Word winner, and has been the host to national Lao American exhibits and gatherings including the National Lao American Writers Summit, Legacies of War: Refugee Nation Twin Cities, Lao'd and Clear, a SatJaDham Conference and many others.

Over the years, Lao Minnesotan artists have been recognized by the State Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans for their arts leadership and lifetime achievements, and many other exceptional accolades.

We're very happy to see the Governor recognize those contributions to international, national, and local arts and culture. Hopefully, this recognition will continue to inspire and energize others to add their voices to the great American tapestry, and to treasure the great stories and visions within themselves and all living beings.