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.

Mentioned in the episode
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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