About the festival

Bainbridge Island's pan-Asian celebration of art, heritage, and community

The Asian Arts & Heritage Festival is produced by Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB), a local nonprofit 501(c)(3). We bring communities together to experience cultures, share traditions across generations, and honor history while building a more inclusive future.

Produced by AHB501(c)(3)Bainbridge Island, WA

2026 season at a glance

Season

May 2026

A month of signature programs and community-hosted cultural events.

Footprint

Island-wide

Connected venues across Bainbridge with one shared guest experience.

Built with

Community partners

Artists, volunteers, sponsors, and neighbors co-produce each season.

Explore events Become a sponsor Volunteer with us

Festival performer and audience in a featured moment. — Festival highlightsMay 2026Bainbridge Island

Festival audience gathering during a live program. — Audience energy

Live performances and neighborhood gatherings fill venues throughout May.

Volunteer team and community members supporting festival guests. — Volunteer movement

Volunteer teams guide guests, support artists, and keep each site welcoming.

Stage crew preparing a production moment. — Production support

Artists, crews, and partners coordinate dozens of details behind every program.

About Arts & Humanities Bainbridge

AHB is the nonprofit engine behind the festival

Arts & Humanities Bainbridge (AHB) produces the Asian Arts & Heritage Festival and supports year-round cultural programs for the island. Our mission is to expand creative access, deepen cross-cultural understanding, and create space to learn from history so we do not repeat harm.

AHB is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity

Programs include the Asian Arts & Heritage Festival, Creative Thread, Ruby Gala, and sister-festival partnerships such as Pistahan.

Volunteer with us

Help produce the festival experience

Volunteers lead guest welcome, artist support, check-ins, access services, and day-of logistics across every festival location.

Guest welcome and check-in flow

Artist support and backstage help

Access, logistics, and day-of coordination

Visit AHB online Volunteer with AHB Browse volunteer needs Apply to volunteer

Arts & Humanities Bainbridge community gathering at a festival program. — Arts & Humanities Bainbridge

Volunteer leaders and community members supporting festival operations. — Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer team coordinating event logistics and guest support. — Operations support

Community volunteers helping with setup and festival flow. — Team collaboration

Festival guiding principles

How we shape the festival experience together

Festival audience gathered during a cultural performance. — Public celebration

Cultural storytelling in public

We center artists, elders, and youth in visible public programs where Asian cultures are celebrated, taught, and experienced together.

Community partners and attendees across festival sites. — Across generations

Island-wide and generational access

Events are designed for elders, youth, and families across Bainbridge Island with pathways that welcome first-time guests and long-time cultural leaders.

Community partners and supporters gathered at a festival event. — Community co-production

Shared ownership and partnership

Sponsors, volunteers, artists, and partner organizations co-produce each season to expand representation and deepen community connection year over year.

Get involved

Help build this season with us

Join the pathway that fits you best and help shape programs, access, and community impact across the festival.

Get involved Become a sponsor Volunteer with us

The Founder and Visionary

Stephanie Reese

FounderVisionaryEvent Producer3 years involved

Stephanie Reese founded the Asian Arts & Heritage Festival to create a full month where Bainbridge Island can celebrate Asian artists, honor cultural heritage, and build stronger community through shared experiences.

Her leadership combines artistic vision with practical community-building, shaping a festival model that welcomes families, uplifts emerging and established voices, and invites sponsors, volunteers, and partners into meaningful collaboration.

Founder's note
“The festival is designed to help people feel seen, connected, and proud of the stories we share together.”

Focus today

Leading the 2026 season

Stephanie's work this season centers on the public-facing pieces that shape how the festival feels.

Artist partnerships and signature program shaping

Festival storytelling across web, press, and community channels

Island-wide collaboration with venues, sponsors, and partners

Visit Stephanie's website Citizen Sister podcast

2026 planning team3 years involved

Founder and visionary

Stephanie Reese

Founder

Founder and visionary

2026 committee3 years involved

Stephanie Reese

Founder

Bio

Stephanie leads festival vision, artist partnerships, and year-round planning across the island-wide program.

“The festival is designed to help people feel seen, connected, and proud of the stories we share together.”

Tap card to return

Team

Meet the full planning committee

Stephanie is featured above. The full team directory gives you a closer look at the committee members and workstream leads shaping this season across production, communications, partnerships, and guest experience.

View full team

Beau

Marketing

Amy

Comms & Media

Yuki

Logistics

Rob

Site & Stage Ops

Browse the team directory for profiles, roles, and the people helping shape the 2026 festival season.

Sister festival

Partnership with Pistahan Festival

Arts & Humanities Bainbridge partners with San Francisco's Pistahan Parade and Festival to share cultural programming, artist stories, and community exchange across the region.

About Pistahan Read spotlight post