POM Foundation

Mission

Preserving, fostering, transmitting, and educating about Lao arts, culture, and traditions for the world citizens of Lao heritage as well as the broad audience with interest in the country of Laos. We uphold our mission and it's goals through regular cultural programs, art exhibitions, educational panels and workshops, and events open to the public.

Description

What started as a young woman's passion for heritage preservation, has become an exciting organization that builds and instills Lao culture. The POM Foundation organized with the purpose of preserving, fostering, transmitting, and educating about Lao arts, culture, and traditions for the world citizens of Lao heritage as well as the broad audience with interest in the country of Laos. We uphold our mission and it's goals through regular cultural programs, art exhibitions, educational panels and workshops, and events open to the public.

We fulfill our mission through our various programs that serve over 100 youths and involves over 200 community members across the country. The target population is second-generation Lao-American youths and their families.

Our Programs

Kinnaly Lao Traditional Music and Dance Troupe
Kinnaly is our art program that focuses on teaching young Lao-Americans (ages 4 through 18) cultural dance and how to play Lao instruments. Students absorb the techniques and forms of dance and music every Sunday at Momentum Studios in Burien, Washington. Music students are taught how to play classical Lao instruments by reading the music and by ear. Dance students are taught the art form by focusing on techniques as well as listening to the music and learning the meaning of the songs and movements to help guide mastery of each dance. www.kinnaly.org

Lao Summer Camp at Wat Buddharam
An extension of our school year program that helps foster a community for Lao-American youth. The summer camp educates the youth about their cultural identity, foster an understanding and appreciation for their roots, builds a strong attachment for the country and the people of Laos, as well as its unique heritage all through the arts. Wat Buddharam is a Lao Buddhist temple located in South Seattle.

FORTE: Lao Summer Camp Showcase
The culmination of Lao Summer Camp ends with a showcase of cultural talent from all the students, campers, and partnering organizations for the community at large.

Cultural Exchange Program to Laos
Since 2011, our program collaborated with the Embassy of the Lao P.D.R. in Washington, D.C., the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, as well as the Embassy of the United States of America in Vientiane, Laos for an International Cultural program. Our Cultural Exchange Program to Laos provides select adolescents the opportunity to spend part of their summer break in Vientiane, Laos. The program allows students to learn directly with Lao music and dance "ajarns," masters of their craft, at the Lao National School of Music & Dance. After, students return to the U.S. to share all they've learned by mentoring younger students and sharing the arts with the American public through the performance of Lao traditional music and dance.