It is a known historical problem that over the years, countless Asian and Pacific Islander (API) creatives, entrepreneurs and social impact leaders have lacked the support, resources, infrastructure and investments that are vital to visibility and success. To address this ongoing issue, Gold House, the premier nonprofit collective of API leaders, has launched Gold House Futures to elevate the next generation of changemakers.
“Instead of waiting for seats at others’ existing tables, we’re here to build our own: ones that are uniquely us,” said Mikkoh Chen, head of Futures. “With the backing of industry luminaries and the world’s largest platforms, Gold House Futures is equipping the next generation of creative and company leaders with career-making, life-changing resources to achieve authentic representation and commercial success.”
According to Gold House’s website, its Futures are “the most promising Asian & Pacific Islander (API) creatives and founders who benefit from career-making acceleration, skill-building and structured networking with like-minded API leaders.” The inaugural class of Futures will focus on five categories (“Guilds”) — music, film, social impact, fine arts and entrepreneurship — to foster further connectivity within these groups, which are critical to strengthening positive API perception. Each Guild will work closely with leaders from their respective categories, and participants will receive additional support from the initiative’s cross-industry partners.
It is a known historical problem that over the years, countless Asian and Pacific Islander (API) creatives, entrepreneurs and social impact leaders have lacked the support, resources, infrastructure and investments that are vital to visibility and success. To address this ongoing issue, Gold House, the premier nonprofit collective of API leaders, has launched Gold House Futures to elevate the next generation of changemakers.
“Instead of waiting for seats at others’ existing tables, we’re here to build our own: ones that are uniquely us,” said Mikkoh Chen, head of Futures. “With the backing of industry luminaries and the world’s largest platforms, Gold House Futures is equipping the next generation of creative and company leaders with career-making, life-changing resources to achieve authentic representation and commercial success.”
According to Gold House’s website, its Futures are “the most promising Asian & Pacific Islander (API) creatives and founders who benefit from career-making acceleration, skill-building and structured networking with like-minded API leaders.” The inaugural class of Futures will focus on five categories (“Guilds”) — music, film, social impact, fine arts and entrepreneurship — to foster further connectivity within these groups, which are critical to strengthening positive API perception. Each Guild will work closely with leaders from their respective categories, and participants will receive additional support from the initiative’s cross-industry partners
Music: The Music Guild
Gold House is collaborating with Spotify to bolster three API music artists who will have the opportunity to record Spotify Singles, a series of original artist recordings in its in-house studios that are released for streaming. These artists will be selected by a committee of music industry leaders (including Ronny Ho of Spotify, Puja Patel of Pitchfork, Eric Wong of Warner Music Group and Annie Lee of Universal Music Group) and icons (including Far East Movement). They will receive support, amplification and programming from Spotify.
“We are here to pour gasoline on top of these promising fires in the API Artist community,” said Byron Atienza, the Global Creative Vice President of Capitol Music Group. “It’s an extraordinarily talent rich, yet still underrepresented group that’s ready to make its contribution to the arts. Gold House Futures is here to provide that needed platform – now.“
It is a known historical problem that over the years, countless Asian and Pacific Islander (API) creatives, entrepreneurs and social impact leaders have lacked the support, resources, infrastructure and investments that are vital to visibility and success. To address this ongoing issue, Gold House, the premier nonprofit collective of API leaders, has launched Gold House Futures to elevate the next generation of changemakers.
“Instead of waiting for seats at others’ existing tables, we’re here to build our own: ones that are uniquely us,” said Mikkoh Chen, head of Futures. “With the backing of industry luminaries and the world’s largest platforms, Gold House Futures is equipping the next generation of creative and company leaders with career-making, life-changing resources to achieve authentic representation and commercial success.”
According to Gold House’s website, its Futures are “the most promising Asian & Pacific Islander (API) creatives and founders who benefit from career-making acceleration, skill-building and structured networking with like-minded API leaders.” The inaugural class of Futures will focus on five categories (“Guilds”) — music, film, social impact, fine arts and entrepreneurship — to foster further connectivity within these groups, which are critical to strengthening positive API perception. Each Guild will work closely with leaders from their respective categories, and participants will receive additional support from the initiative’s cross-industry partners.
Music: The Music Guild
Gold House is collaborating with Spotify to bolster three API music artists who will have the opportunity to record Spotify Singles, a series of original artist recordings in its in-house studios that are released for streaming. These artists will be selected by a committee of music industry leaders (including Ronny Ho of Spotify, Puja Patel of Pitchfork, Eric Wong of Warner Music Group and Annie Lee of Universal Music Group) and icons (including Far East Movement). They will receive support, amplification and programming from Spotify.
“We are here to pour gasoline on top of these promising fires in the API Artist community,” said Byron Atienza, the Global Creative Vice President of Capitol Music Group. “It’s an extraordinarily talent rich, yet still underrepresented group that’s ready to make its contribution to the arts. Gold House Futures is here to provide that needed platform – noFilm: The Future Gold Film Fellowship
Created by Netflix, Tribeca Studios and Gold House, three API filmmakers will be selected to receive funding and promotion to produce a short film. They will be chosen by a diverse panel of industry heavyweights, including Jon M. Chu, Daniel Dae Kim and Alice Wu.
“I was able to kickstart my career with a three-minute short film on YouTube,” said writer and director Aneesh Chaganty. “So I’m very excited to support a few up-and-coming API filmmakers as they try to do the same: make exciting short films through The
Social Impact: The Gold Futures Challenge
In partnership withAsian American Futures, the Gold Futures Challenge is a philanthropic award that recognizes the accomplishments of nonprofits serving API communities. Ten prizes — ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 — will be awarded to organizations for projects that ensure API communities are Seen, Heard, Empowered and United. Finalists will be chosen by a slate of social justice leaders on the selection committee (including Chanel Miller, MILCK and Weijia Jiang), and the prize amounts will be determined by public vote. Awardees will also be invited to participate in educational programming provided byNode, a nonprofit social education network that empowers API community leaders.
“The Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is actively doing work to be seen, heard, empowered and united, but continues to be severely under-resourced,” said Joanna Kong, a board member and the co-chair of Asian American Futures) “For every $100 dollars awarded by foundations in the United States, only 20 cents are designated for AAPI communities. This is one of the main reasons why the work of the Gold Futures Challenge is so important — our community deserves more equitable and reliable sources of funding to grow and sustain their work.”
