Advocacy in Motion

Tell us about J Chen Project

J Chen Project (JCP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit modern dance company founded by Artistic Director and Choreographer Jessica Chen. JCP’s mission explores how we perceive and create identities within the collective human experience through innovative and culturally-based dance works.

A major pillar of our organization is equitable access to the arts. J Chen Project's vision is to create more opportunities for marginalized communities to participate in the arts and expand their capacity for imagination through artistic expression. JCP's core educational program is the Mentorship Program, which invests in the next generation of dance artists and leaders, providing a roadmap to a sustainable dance career for underrepresented artists. The Mentee Program offers tools, connections, and ongoing mentorship to jumpstart the careers of promising pre-professional dancers.

Since its inception, JCP has been awarded funding from Dance/NYC, NY City Parks Foundation, LMCC, Jerome Foundation, and the Taiwan Ministry of Culture; and has been featured in The Huffington Post, Broadway World, Dance Magazine, DanceSpirit, SinoVision TV, amongst other media and publications.

Past commissions, performance, and residencies include Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, TEDx Semester at Sea, Orange County School of the Arts, Gibney Dance Center, Rutgers University, Molloy College, Yangtze Repertory Theater, Kimball Union Academy, DeSales University, and more.

JCP has a demonstrated history of diversity and inclusion with immigrants, BIPOC, LGBTQ, and marginalized communities. We are motivated to stand up for our shared humanity.

How did you connect with A4?

A4 Town Hall is where I felt a sense of belonging and community when I first moved to New York City. At A4 Town Hall, I met new friends and potential collaborators.

I reconnected with A4 in 2020 when I was invited to sit on the selection panel for the Jadin Wong Award.

Throughout the past 18 months+, I’ve participated in the monthly AAPI Arts Leaders Roundtable founded by A4’s Executive Director, Lisa Gold.

How is A4 a part of your organization’s history? How has A4 played a role in supporting you, J CHEN PROJECT, or both?

A4 is the place where I go for community and support. A4 has introduced me to incredible opportunities for artistic growth and creation. Through A4, I’ve connected with key collaborators of my works and artistic opportunities with A4’s affiliated organizations.

A recent artistic opportunity directly resulting from working with A4 included a commission from the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA).

In 2021, I choreographed a new work titled “You Are Safe,” a dance that responds to the significant rise in xenophobia and bigotry targeting Asian-Americans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. MOCA commissioned this work and featured it in their reopening exhibition “Responses: Asian American Voices Resisting the Tides of Racism.”

We performed this work 25 times throughout the city, reaching hundreds of audiences, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), in a special performance for UN heads of state during New York Fashion Week.

Do you have a fond memory of working in collaboration with A4 that you'd like to share?

In 2020, I worked with A4 to create a AAPI Arts Leaders Statement for our AAPI arts community in New York City. This statement has almost 100 signatures from artists and arts leaders.

What are your future hopes for J CHEN PROJECT and AAPIs in dance?

As an AAPI female-led organization, JCP strives to impact the Asian-American community through our work. JCP stands against systemic racism, and we recognize the urgency for drastic change. We support BIPOC individuals across the gender spectrum through diverse, equitable, and inclusive opportunities and consciously practice anti-racism within our organization.

In 2021, J CHEN PROJECT collaborated with Arts on Site to launch a new festival titled, We Belong Here: AAPI Festival. This festival presents the works of Asian choreographers.

I wish to help pave a new path for the next generation of AAPI New Yorkers. I recognize an opportunity to impact the landscape of what being AAPI means, the struggle we each face due to the dichotomy we embody, and how our community is portrayed in society. I hope to inspire and energize our community with my work. I hope my work empowers the BIPOC and AAPI communities by amplifying stories that go unheard and unseen.

How do you think J CHEN PROJECT and A4 are shaping the future of AAPI culture, leadership, and/or activism?

J CHEN PROJECT plans to focus on the growing conversation of diversity, equity, and inclusion via the work we do both on and off the stage. The need for Asian representation is much needed in our field and our country.

At a time when we need more positive Asian representation in our field, A4 is a prime example of a leader in our community with their commitment to recognize, amplify, and support underrepresented and marginalized artists. Leaders like A4 are needed to pave the way towards change and growth.