Asian American Resource Center Event Calendar
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This page provides a listing of events scheduled at the AARC. Only AARC sponsored events are listed on the event calendar. To confirm availability of space for a rental booking, please contact AARC Rentals at AARCrentals@AustinTexas.gov or call (512) 974-1698.
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest news about our upcoming events. The Asian American Resource Center is part of the Cultural Education & Programs (CEP) Division in the City of Austin's Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment.
Upcoming AARC Events
World Tai Chi and Qigong Day | Saturday, April 25
Join us for World Tai Chi and Qigong Day on Saturday, April 25 from 8am to 12pm to send a wave of peaceful, healing Qi around the world. Beginning in New Zealand at 10am in each time zone, ending in Hawaii. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Open to all individual practitioners or schools of any style. All levels and ages welcome.
View the schedule and learn more about participating schools on the World Tai Chi and Qigong Day event page
CelebrASIA Austin | Saturday, May 2
Join us for CelebrASIA Austin, our annual event celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, happening at the AARC on Saturday, May 2 from 11am to 3pm! This family-friendly, all-ages festival will feature a variety of performances, food vendors, exhibits, and cultural experiences. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more and RSVP: RSVP | CelebrASIA
Ongoing Programs
Hyphenated Book Club • Year Round • 6 to 7:30PM
Join fellow book lovers in the community to dive into works by Asian American authors. From new releases by emerging voices to beloved community favorites, fiction to non-fiction and everything in-between, explore the diversity of American literature from an Asian American lens.
All meet ups are free and open to the public to attend. Must be 18+. All sessions are hosted in person at the AARC. No need to have finished the book to attend, though recommended.
Upcoming Meetups: 2026
- June 18, 6 to 7:30pm: Severance by Ling Ma | RSVP: Severance
- July 23, 6 to 7:30pm - This Arab is Queer: An Anthology by LGBTQ+ Arab Writers edited by Elias Jahshan | RSVP: This Arab is Queer
- September 24, 6 to 7:30pm – My Documents by Kevin Nguyen | RSVP: My Documents
- October 22, 6 to 7:30pm – Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan | RSVP: Late Bloomers
Past Meetups: 2026
- February 19: Dear America, Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
- April 16: Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
2025 Reading List
- Portrait of a Thief by Grade D. Li
- What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo
- We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
- Real Americans by Rachel Khong
- Stay True by Hua Hsu
- Isha, Unscripted by Sajni Patel
Being and Belonging • October 2025 to August 2026 • 6 to 8PM
Being and Belonging is an educational pop up series about Asian American history, culture, and arts. If you have ever wondered...
What are the experiences of Asian Americans in United States? In Texas?
What does it mean to be a part of the Asian American diaspora?
What should the future of Asian America look like?
...then this pop up series is for you!
Being and Belonging is open to anyone (ages 18+) who wants to learn in an interactive, hands-on, collaborative setting alongside fellow community members. During each session, we will explore a different topic related to Asian American history through facilitated activities, guest speakers, and/or Asian American media.
This series is free and open to all. Participants do not need to attend all pop up sessions. They can attend as many or as few as they want. Light refreshments will be provided!
Upcoming Pop Ups
- April 28, 2026, 6 to 8pm - Asian Americans in Texas | RSVP: Asian Americans in Texas
- June 23, 2026, 6 to 8pm - Resistance, Advocacy, and Solidarity | RSVP: Resistance, Advocacy, and Solidarity
- August 25, 2026, 6 to 8pm - The Future of Asian America | RSVP: The Future of Asian America
Past Pop Ups
- February 24, 2026 - Belonging and Citizenship
- October 28, 2025 - Representation
- December 2, 2025 - Diaspora
Artist Access Program • Year Round
Applications for the 2027 Artist Access Program (AAP) are open! AAP provides local performing artists and cultural organizations with access to free and / or low-cost rentals at four City of Austin’s cultural centers and venues. In addition to space, AAP partners are provided marketing support, event planning and opportunities to collaborate. Applications close Monday, April 13, 2026. For more information, visit the Artist Access Program webpage or email AAPInfo@austintexas.gov.
Learn more and apply | Apply for Artist Access Program
Exhibits
The AARC’s Community Art Exhibit Program displays artworks year-round that celebrate the diverse and dynamic cultural heritage, history, identity and creativity of Asian American Pacific Islanders. See what’s currently on view at the AARC Exhibits page.
Senior Program
AARC Senior program is designed to address the intergenerational wellness and education needs of Austin residents, age 50 and up, with a focus on Asian American culture and community. To learn more about the current class schedule and how to register, go to the AARC Senior Program page.
Austin Community College - ESL Classes • On Hold
Update: ESL classes will not be available at the AARC for the upcoming fall semester. Please check the Austin Community College website for updates: Austin Community College ESL page
Austin Community College (ACC) offers free ESL courses to help non-native speakers learn basic English for college or the workplace, or simply to become more comfortable with everyday communication.
Page last updated: April 22, 2026