TCACCThai Community Arts & Cultural Center : To preserve and promote Thai culture
             
Carved watermelon       
History of TCACC

To preserve Thai arts and culture in the United States of America through education and entertainment Thai and non-Thai communities, a board of Thai and American directors incorporated the Thai Community Arts and Cultural Center (TCACC) in 1992, with Vibul Wonprasat as the founder.

Representing the first institution of its kind to exist in the U.S., the establishment of TCACC fulfilled the long-awaited dream of making the uniqueness of Thai arts and culture part of the multicultural experience.  The center is dedicated to furthering the understanding of Thai people through the arts as well as serving as a vital community resource and an essential link to the broader community.  Thus, the main goals of TCACC are:
  1. To preserve and promote then essences of the 5 branches of Thai arts, which include painting, sculpture, architecture, performing arts, and literature (prose and poetry);
  2. To enhance a cross-cultural understanding; and
  3. To heighten the appreciation of the arts and cultures among Thais of all ages living in the U.S.

Comprised mostly of volunteers, TCACC members have worked hard to gain public recognition for our organization through cultural activities.  Our most important project is the annual Thai Cultural Day.  We have participated in international events at Cal Tech, Loyola Marymount University, and California State University in Long Beach as well as organized the Thai cultural parade for 20th Century Fox’s “Anna and the King.”  We also provide internships to high school students who wish to learn more about Thai arts and culture.

In pursuing our goals, we have received the support from numerous volunteers and other organizations as well as established collaborative efforts with other communities.  The center continues to seek grants from public and private sources to help fund various activities, including exhibitions and other programs, throughout the year.