Cambodian American Resource Agency
Khmer arts and culture
About the Organization
The Cambodian American Resource Agency (CARA) was founded in 1998 by a group of Cambodian-American professionals and community members who had a deep interest in the uniting the local Khmer community. The mission of CARA is to help initiate and support community-based events involving the Khmer community in order to increase recognition and raise awareness of the Khmer culture. Among other programs, CARA supports the Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe and the Cambodian Language School.
The Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe of San Jose (CCDTSJ) has operated as a dance school for the wider Bay Area community for more than 30 years. Students from throughout the Bay Area have participated in the program because of the quality of instruction in classical and folk dances provided by Savary Dean and Charya Burt (a frequent mentor in ACTA’s apprenticeship program). Not only has the CCDTSJ instructed generations of students in dance, but it also functions as a “secondary place” for the Cambodian-American diaspora: a place to explore being Cambodian-American outside of immediate family and connect with other Cambodian-American peers.
The CCDTSJ and CARA during Mixed Melodies.
Living Cultures Grant Program
2023
Khmer New Year 2024 Festival
CARA will produce an evening-length arts showcase in Spring 2024 for the Khmer New Year. The celebration will include a piece of traditional Cambodian musical theater (Yiké), a rare piece of Cambodian classical music presented by the Ho Chan Ensemble, and a showcase of dancers from different cultural organizations throughout the Bay Area, including the CCDTSJ.
2022
Bay Area Cambodian Cultural Festival
In 2022, the CCDTSJ organized a family friendly Bay Area Cambodian Cultural Festival, planned for early May of 2023, in collaboration with Cambodian communities throughout the Bay Area and the Central Valley. Along with performances by the CCDTSJ and the Ho Chan Ensemble, the event included Cambodian foods, as well as activities for audience and attendee participation.
2016
ACTA funds supported the Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe’s production of The Judge Rabbit. Seeing the stage for the first time in the United States, this interpretation of an ancient Cambodian folk tale will be led by artistic director Savary Dean and guest master artist Charya Burt, who will develop the choreography, music, and song.
2014
CARA received funding from ACTA’s Living Cultures Grant Program to support Hidden Treasures, a capstone event for five high school seniors who have trained for years as Cambodian classical dancers through CARA’s free weekly dance lessons. The performance was produced by dancers themselves, with the support of CARA’s staff, and will be presented at a local high school.
2013
CARA received funding to underwrite costs to provide free weekly dance lessons through the Cambodian Cultural Dance Troupe. Students performed at the community’s New Year Festibal, learn the folk dance, Fish Tales, and a core of male dancers will continue to perfect their monkey dance repertoire.
2012
CARA received a grant to support advanced students’ travel to Long Beach to study, dance, and live with musicians of the Ho Chan Ensemble. The ensemble also traveled to San Jose in order to perform for the San Jose-based community and will feature local dancers in the concert slated for fall of 2012.