The Global Asias Initiative (GAI) at UMBC is holding a workshop to help support and curate an exhibit of creative works produced by students that relate and help illustrate understandings and relationalities to Asia as understood through a Global Asias framework. In the workshop, students will read and unpack a text written by Tina Chen (Global Asias: Method, Architecture, and Praxis) in order to better understand Global Asias, a theoretical, multidisciplinary framework that brings together the fields of Asian American and Asian Studies. We will work together to create an exhibit of student work that translates and explains Global Asias as an analytical lens to the campus and wider public. 

Students will arrive to the first session with a project they have either completed in a prior class or with a project in mind as well as having read an assigned text on Global Asias. Together with faculty mentors, we will discuss the text and clarify any questions in order to strengthen our collective understanding of the Global Asias framework.

In the second session, students will work to hone their project and work on writing artist statements that explain to a public audience how their piece reflects Global Asias–what Global Asias concept(s) does their piece draw on? How can we see that concept or process illustrated or represented in the piece? 

Participating in this workshop will help strengthen public writing skills, hone reading skills, and is an opportunity you can put on your resume/CV. 

Please make sure to keep available 5/1 for the exhibition install date and 5/4 for the Exhibition Reception.  

Applications are due Wed, February 11, 2026 by 11:59pm.

Application Process:

By 11:59pm on Wed., Feb.11, 2026: Submit responses via the following application form: https://forms.gle/3WBUUEA9NyrC16QU6 

Make sure to include:

• 1-2 sentence description of project 

• 2-3 sentence statement of why you're interested in participating 

WORKSHOP TIMELINE:

Session 1 (Friday 2/27, 12:00-2pm): reading & activity that asks that helps guide the revision of their project and helps them brainstorming their "artist statement"

In between sessions: students send advanced drafts

Session 2 (Friday 4/10, 12:00-2pm): bring workshopped/revised project, share. finalize and create connections between pieces.

(lunch will be provided)

Exhibition Install date: Friday, 5/1

Exhibition Reception: Monday 5/4

PAYMENT DISBURSEMENT:

Participating students will receive a $300 stipend. Receiving the stipend is dependent on completion of both workshop sessions and installing their piece in the exhibition. 

CONTACT INFO:

Please reach out to Dr. Mika Thornburg at mthornburg@umbc.edu, Dr. Tamara Bhalla at tbhalla@umbc.edu or Priya Bhayana at priyab@umbc.edu with any questions.

Please check out our Asian Studies Highlights - Fall 2025 Newsletter!