On December 10, the Asian American Arts Alliance was speaking out on the steps of New York City Hall on the critical need for public funding of small, community-based arts and cultural organizations that work on the front lines, serving the needs of a diverse and complex city. “We’re lucky to be standing here with you, but we really represent the untold thousands of artists from under-represented communities who are producing some of the most innovative and exciting art out there,” said Executive Director Andrea Louie at a press conference announcing the new $1.5 million Cultural Immigrant Initiative. Cultural organizations across the five boroughs will receive discretionary grants to provide access and arts programming to immigrant communities.