The Intercultural Alliance of Artists & Scholars, Inc.

Description

The Intercultural Alliance of Artists & Scholars, Inc. (IAAS) was founded in 2000 to promote multicultural literature and literacy. The IAAS encourages people of all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds to adopt reading, writing and the arts – in all of its forms – as part of their lifelong process.

The IAAS’s primary objective is to present a forum for artists and scholars to unite under one umbrella and create literary programming that develops and explores critical thinking about cultural assumptions, immigration, and diversity. Our goal is to enhance the field of multicultural education and broaden its impact on the world, inside the classroom and, just as importantly, outside the classroom. The IAAS sees multiculturalism directly connected to our work, our lives, the communities in which we live and to our emerging global society. Using literature as a conduit, we believe artists and scholars have the power to effect and implement change, ultimately creating a viable “intercultural alliance.”

The IAAS creates innovative programming that draws on diverse writers, poets and scholars from across the United States and provides a unique forum for them to share their works and insight regarding the impact and inspiration their culture has had on their writing. Since the IAAS’s constituency consists of a wide range of the population from varying and diverse backgrounds – from the poor and underprivileged to the privileged yet undereducated – the IAAS educates and inspires young people and adults alike with diverse literatures that connect to their lives.

With our programs the IAAS joins what Bill Moyers has often called the “conversation of democracy.” We engage voices and ideas with literature that has been seldom, if ever, exposed on television. We publish voices that the major publishing houses neglect. We create curricula that demonstrates how the study and making of literature and art can be a powerful way for students to engage in critical thinking. We help the public understand that there are multicultural, socially engaged writers and media artists in their communities who should be seen and heard. For more information, check out our website at www.theiaas.org.