About

Boston Progress Arts Collective is a community of API* artists that aims to create a supportive space and outlet for personal growth, creative expression, and artistic exploration. We strive to use art as an active means for mobilization and education within our communities locally, nationally, and beyond.

API* is a reappropriation of the term API, which was created by the US government to more easily categorize our communities. While API still stands for Asian/Pacific Islander, with the * we redefine and expand the term to include- but not limited to: South-, Southeast-, East-, Central-, or West-Asian, Middle Eastern, Arab, Pacific Islander, Oceanic, Americans of Asian decent, multiracial, adoptee, “other,” or however one chooses to represent their cultural/political/ethnic identity.

For decades, others have used the category API to tell us what we are to them . But now, we use API* to define who we are to ourselves.

You can find us on facebook and myspace, or send an email to collective (AT) bostonprogress (DOT) org to reach us.

THE SPACE: The East Meets West Bookstore
Boston Progress Arts Collective manages East Meets West, an independently-owned Asian American bookstore, with the largest selection of independent Asian American products on the East Coast, including books, DVDs, hip hop, rock, and spoken word CDs and vinyl, chapbooks, gear, and one-of-a-kind artwork from established and up-and-coming artists from across the country.

Visit us at 934 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge.

Hours of operation: 2nd Friday of the month 8PM-10:30PM and by appointment.

East Meets West is completely volunteer-run. Interested in getting involved? Contact us!

Click here for a partial listing of available independent product.