Commemorating 50th Anniversary of Southeast Asian Communities in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn (April 11, 2025) – More than a dozen organizations will receive support in the form of grants and partnerships to commemorate 50 years of the Southeast Asians in Minnesota.

Eleven organizations were selected to receive grants from funds appropriated by the state legislature. There was a very high level of demand for these grant funds; the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) received approximately $2 million in requests for $400,000 available. MNHS followed the procedure outlined by the legislation to award grants, using a competitive process, to cultural, historical, and veterans organizations. Grant applications were reviewed by a citizens panel.

In an effort to ensure all Southeast Asian communities will be represented, MNHS is dedicating $167,000 in Legacy funds appropriated by the state legislature to partner with four additional organizations. 

The organizations selected are:

Asian Economic Development Association, St. Paul, $30,709 grant
To develop, produce, and document community history and culture exhibitions across the Southeast Asian American diaspora community in Minnesota.

The Paper Lantern Project, St. Paul, $48,947 grant
To research, develop, and facilitate community storytelling programs with Southeast Asian women in Minnesota. Springboard for the Arts is the fiscal sponsor of this project.

SEALIT Center, Minneapolis, $24,500 grant
To pay qualified professionals to write and publish manuscripts of prose and poetry on the histories and experiences of Lao Minnesotans. The Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota is the fiscal sponsor of this project.         

Qhia Dab Neeg Film & Dialogue Series, St. Paul, $40,000 grant
To research, develop, and facilitate screening and dialogue events on the history of Hmong filmmaking in Minnesota.     

Yaj Neej Tshiab, Champlin, $24,572 grant
To document in 50+ oral history interviews the history of Hmong women in Minnesota.            

Hmong Museum, St. Paul, $30,000 grant
To develop a new website that enables better access to Hmong Minnesotan history.            

Transforming Generations, St. Paul, $50,000 grant
To research, develop, and fabricate an exhibit on Hmong LGBTQ+ history in Minnesota.

Funny Asian Women Kollective (FAWK), St. Paul, $24,000 grant
To develop, produce, and perform a live comedy show about Hmong women's history and evolving roles in Minnesota. Springboard for the Arts is the fiscal sponsor of this project.

The Urban Village Inc., St. Paul, $74,984 grant
To document 20 oral histories and use the interviews to create multimedia exhibits and publications related to the Myanmar diaspora in Minnesota.

Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota, St. Paul, $24,750 grant
To produce and publish a special issue of Hmong Studies Journal on the 50th anniversary of Hmong Americans in Minnesota.

Theater Mu, St. Paul, $27,538 grant
To document and make available a play based on Hmong storytelling and oral histories.         

Vietnamese Community of Minnesota, New Brighton, $25,000 partnership
To create a cultural exhibit and hold an event to share stories of the Vietnamese diaspora.

United Senior Lao American Association, Elk River, $22,000 partnership
To host presentations from historians and members of the community to share with the public.

MN8, St. Paul, $50,000 partnership
To hold a narrative and storytelling series that will share knowledge from Cambodian community elders.

Special Guerilla Units Veterans and Families, St. Paul, $70,000 partnership
To hold a commemoration to hear stories of Hmong veterans and record and share those stories with the general public

Grants are made possible by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008. The Legacy Amendment supports efforts to preserve Minnesota land, water, and legacy, including Minnesota history and cultural heritage.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.

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