The Korean American Artists Association of Washington State is a non-profit organization founded in 1989 by local Korean Immigrants. The mission of KAAW is encourage and support Korean American artists residing in Washington state who are pursuing artistic endeavor to enrich personal and community life.
In 1994, KAAW expanded its mission to promote and celebrate Diversity through Pacific Northwest student Art Competition open to K-12, for all ethnic background. Since 2005, the format has been changed to all mail-in juried competition in order to expand the range and number of participants.
In 2010, KAAW had celebrated its 20th anniversary by hosting a special event and exhibition.
The Joshel Namkung scholarship was first formed and awarded in 2012 by KAAW scholarship committee which administers, jury selects, and grants Johsel Namkung scholarships along with Korean Consulate General Seattle and KAAW scholarship awards at the annual members’ exhibition.
In attempt to promote art sharing with community and with other Korean Artists in Washington State, we extended an invitation to Korean Artists in Washington State to exhibit with us during KAAW member’s exhibition in 2013.
We also support surrounding community with Korean cultural activities through our art work in various events: Korean-American Heritage Celebration at King County Superior Court in 2015, Yearly Korean Cultural days at Shoreline Art Festival, participated at Korean American Coalition 2016 National convention by presenting Gala award to Artistic Achievement award and provided support with 1st Korean “ChuSeok” Festival at Asia Pacific Cultural Center in 2017.
Furthermore, KAAW provides a link between organizations in Washington to organization in Korea. Some examples are as we promote tour “Paradox of Place” exhibition by contemporary artists from Korea at Seattle Asian Art Museum, providing display of art at Lynnwood city for celebrating relationship between Damyang city in South Korea and Lynnwood city Washington as they became sister city in 2016-2017.
KAAW continue to focus on enriching members with quarterly workshops and increasingly recognized through various means of social media by a broader audience and community around us.
