While some traditions have a way to outlast centuries of changes, the very same changes often demand the creation of new traditions. Since 1978, the United States marks the month of May as Asian and Pacific American Heritage (APAH) Month: a new annual tradition was born to recognize the historical contributions and cultural influences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans.

For the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, APAH 2020 was supposed to be the culmination of the museum’s multiyear, multimillion-dollar transformation and expansion, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the in-person celebrations are now postponed to later in the year.

However, traditions have a way to persevere despite all odds. To celebrate APAH during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Asian Art Museum, turned online to shine its digital spotlight on the achievements and cultural impact of a wide-ranging community of creators.