Kundiman is a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing generations of writers and readers of Asian American literature. The organization offers an annual writing retreat, readings, workshops, a mentorship program, and a poetry prize, and aims to provide "a safe yet rigorous space where Asian American poets can explore, through art, the unique challenges that face the new and ever changing diaspora." Kundiman was co-founded in 2004 by Asian American poets

Sarah Gambito Sarah Gambito is an American poet and professor. She is the author of three collections of poetry, ''Loves You'' (Persea Books, 2019), ''Delivered'' (Persea Books, 2009), and ''Matadora'' (Alice James Books, 2004). Her first collection, ''Matadora ...

and Joseph O. Legaspi, and has received support from the

National Endowment for the Arts The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal ...

, the

New York City Department of Cultural Affairs The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) is the department of the government of New York City dedicated to supporting New York City's cultural life. Among its primary missions is ensuring adequate public funding for non-profit cultur ...

, the

Poetry Foundation The Poetry Foundation is an American literary society that seeks to promote poetry and lyricism in the wider culture. It was formed from ''Poetry'' magazine, which it continues to publish, with a 2003 gift of $200 million from philanthropist Ru ...

, the

New York Community Trust The New York Community Trust is the community foundation for New York City, with divisions in Westchester and Long Island. It is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States and one of the largest funders of New York C ...

, Philippine American Writers, PAWA, and individuals. Kundiman and Fordham University have formed an affiliation in which Kundiman will "enhance the outreach of Fordham’s English Department," and Fordham hosts the annual Kundiman Poetry Retreat on Fordham's Rose Hill campus beginning in 2010, and host Kundiman-sponsored readings and events at the Lincoln Center Campus. Fordham also provided a total of $60,000 over three years in financial support for Kundiman's programs. The organization’s name refers to a style of Filipino love song that served as veiled patriotism during colonial times. Kundiman Fellows have published in ''The Virginia Quarterly Review,The Colorado Review, Pleiades, Black Warrior Review'' and ''Crab Orchard Review''." There have been over 302 books published by Kundiman fellows. Honors given by Kundiman include The Kundiman Poetry Prize, for a book by an Asian American poet at any stage in their career. The winning manuscript is published by

Tupelo Press Tupelo Press is an American not-for-profit literary press founded in 1999. It produced its first titles in 2001, publishing poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Originally located in Dorset, Vermont, the press has since moved to North Adams, Massachus ...

, and according to Kundiman, "is the only poetry prize dedicated to Asian American poets in the country." In light of "systemic bias" within the Wikipedia community, Kundiman hosts Wikipedia Edit-A-Thons in order to address the lack of visibility of Asian American writers and accuracy about their work. Kyle Lucia Wu, the programs and communications manager at Kundiman, said the idea of creating a Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon came to her when she saw that there were, at the time, only 240 names listed on Wikipedia's page for Asian American writers.

Kundiman Retreat

The Kundiman Retreat was started in 2004 by

and Joseph O. Legaspi. The inaugural Retreat was hosted at the University of Virginia in 2004. It now takes place at Fordham University. Poet Duy Doan said of the Kundiman Retreat: "I would never be able to overemphasize the positive impact that the Kundiman retreats have had on me—writing, musing, connecting with other Asian–Pacific Islander American writers, being taken in by a richly talented and generous community." Poet Chen Chen said that the Kundiman Retreat was "really magical and opened up my eyes to what was possible in the Asian American literary community." The Kundiman Retreat has received support from the National Endowment of the Arts. Starting in 2015, the retreat was opened up to fiction writers as well as poets. Kundiman fellows include: Kundiman Faculty includes:

References

{{Reflist

External links

Kundiman Website

Video: 2005 Kundiman Retreat Readings
2004 establishments in New York City American poetry American writers' organizations Arts organizations based in New York City Arts organizations established in 2004 Asian-American literature Asian-American organizations Culture of New York City Non-profit organizations based in New York (state) Poetry organizations

Kundiman Retreat

See also

References

External links