Art, Community & Advocacy: Rob Buscher's Creative Journey
Welcome to 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, hosted by Rob Lee. Engage in this meaningful conversation with Rob Buscher, the Associate Director of Organizational Culture at the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia. He's a seasoned film and media specialist, educator, arts administrator, and published author with extensive experience in nonprofit arts organizations. Rob, a person of biracial Japanese-American heritage, is deeply involved in his community and an expert in cultural sensitivity training, community organizing, and Asian American & Pacific Islander advocacy. His expertise spans Japanese and Asian American & Pacific Islander Cinema, and he has made notable contributions to the film festival circuit, curriculum development, and founding the UK's first Japanese Film Festival. Rob's impact also extends to his role as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania and as a contributing writer for notable publications.
In this episode, we uncover:
- The formative role of Rob Buscher's great-grandmother in shaping his love for film and music, driven by her introduction to Japanese cinema during his early years.
- A conversation with Rob, where we delve into how music and art serve as powerful tools to foster unity, challenge stereotypes, and bridge communities.
- The critical significance of cultural sensitivity training and community organizing, exploring their role in advocating for the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
- The historical intersections between Japanese Americans and African Americans, guided by Rob's insights into the shared cultural experiences that bind these communities, particularly through music and activism.
Rob Buscher shares his story as a mixed-race Japanese American and his experiences growing up in a predominantly white community. He discusses his passion for film and music, as well as his career in organizing film festivals and curating art shows. Rob also delves into the importance of cultural sensitivity training and community organizing, particularly in relation to the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. He highlights the need to challenge stereotypes and promote understanding and empathy through art and cultural exchange.
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This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.
Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart
Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.
Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.
About "The Truth In This Art"
"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.
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