2026 AAPI Festival Performer application

May 30, 2026 from 12 - 4 PM
Gates open at 11 AM

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, in partnership with the Inner Arbor Trust, is hosting the fifth annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Festival at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods.

Performer Application

Please submit your application by Friday, April 17.

Applications are for time slots of 1-5 minutes or 5-10 minutes.  

As the event continues to grow, the competition for spots on the stage becomes more intense. We anticipate that we will not be able to accept all applications. We encourage dance schools and organizations to provide high-quality, unique submissions. Applications which provide complete proposals with pieces and music selections are more likely to be selected.

The mission of the AAPI Festival is uplifting cultural diversity, connection, and representation. The Howard County Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission will form a review committee to evaluate performances on the following criteria: 

  • cultural significance or modern interpretation of AAPI heritage

  • connection with and/or emotional impact on the audience on a meaningful level 

  • stage presence  

  • creativity and originality 

  • quality of performance

Each organization (i.e. dance school) may submit only one application - if you wish to put multiple pieces in your application, please apply for a 10 minute slot which includes all your performances. If you do include multiple pieces within your application, please provide the titles, descriptions, and music for each piece.

If you have any questions, contact paul@innerarbortrust.org. 

Performance applicants will receive final selections no later than the week of ___. Performers will be given shared community guidelines for backstage and onstage flow, and the opportunity to participate in the Parade of Cultures and Activity Zones. 

We appreciate your excitement regarding this event and look forward to working with you. If you have any issues with the form itself, please contact info@innerarbortrust.org.

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