explorASIAN - | Many cultures | Many languages | One celebration | SPONSORSHIP - SUPPORTING DIVERSITY AND MULTICULTURALISM IN THE COMMUNITY The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society is a registered non-profit society volunteer driven organization. The Society presents and participates in many multicultural events throughout the year and produces the Asian Heritage Month festival known as "explorASIAN" in the Lower Mainland during the month of MAY. Thousands of people will share and experience Pan-Asian Canadian arts and culture at "explorASIAN" events featuring hundreds of artists, dancers, musicians, performers and writers. Since 1996, the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society's "explorASIAN" Festival has endeavored to explore the diversity of Asian Canadian life and culture and promote the discussion of relevant issues and concerns within and beyond the Asian Canadian community. MAY is Asian Heritage Month across Canada! It is a celebration of the diverse artistic and cultural experiences of Canadians of Pan Asian descent - young and old - traditional and contemporary. explorASIAN presents great partnership opportunities for local businesses and established companies to effectively deliver strong messages regarding the support of multiculturalism and diversity to employees, customers and the community at large. Music, art, literary works, dance, comedy, stage, videos and films that define and reflect the diversity of Asian Canadians are showcased through our festival. Lectures, seminars, forums, workshops, and Philosophers Cafes explore the Asian Canadian experience through discussions and interactions with all Canadians both young and old. explorASIAN is about understanding the differences that make up the wonderful mosaic called Canada. explorASIAN is a portal to a significant community whose members have pioneered this land, established roots, developed relationships and successfully integrated into the Canadian society. Come join us to educate and enlighten each other in understanding and appreciating each others cultural heritage. Lets share our past history for the health of our future. Acknowledgements The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society is financially supported by donations, corporate and institutional sponsorships, and public funders. Our sincerest thanks to all of our generous Sponsors and Donors including the University of British Columbia, Canada Council for the Arts, Department of Canadian Heritage, and the City of Vancouver - Office of Cultural Affairs. The Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society gratefully values acknowledges the labour and efforts of artists, cultural and community workers, volunteers, and all who are involved with the explorASIAN festival. Interesting Facts and Figures As of 2001, Canadians of Asian origin make up almost 10% of Canadas total population. In B.C., the percentage of the total population who indicated an Asian ethnic origin in the 2001 census is over 20% the highest in the country. Over 30% of Vancouver-area residents indicated an Asian ethnicity. The majority of this Asian population is English speaking and reads English language newspapers and views English language television on a daily basis. Canadian Asians are very active and knowledgeable consumers. Percentage of Canadian Asians residing in BC who live in Metro Vancouver: Ethnicity Percentage Chinese 93.1% Korean 89.7% Filipino 86.5% South East Asian 80.4% South Asian 75.8% Japanese 73.4% Source: Facts & Figures (1996 Census of Canada/BC Stats) Proportion of Total Population - Vancouver Ethnicity Percentage Chinese 17.69 Indian 7.22 Filipino 3.13 Korean 1.48 Japanese 1.37 Vietnamese 1.16 Other Asian 2.66 Total Asian 34.71 Source: Ethnic Origin. Ottawa: Statistics Canada, January 21, 2003. 2001 Census of Canada Your financial support will enable the Society to present educational programs and showcase Pan-Asian Canadian art and culture to thousands of Metro Vancouver residents during Asian Heritage Month and expose your company or organization to the community-at-large throughout the year. If you have an idea or proposal for sponsorship, we would be pleased to hear about it. We can customize a sponsorship package to meet your specific needs. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Don Montgomery, Executive Director Telephone 604.677.1383 Email: don@explorasian.org