[1] The first Asian American Literature Festival was held in 2017 at the National Portrait Gallery, Library of Congress, and The Phillips Collection.

[3][4][5][6] Major guests included Kazim Ali, Li-Young Lee and Karen Tei Yamashita.

[1][7] In July 2023, Smithsonian leadership abruptly cancelled the event one month before its scheduled date, citing “unforeseen circumstances.

"[8] The cancellation came as a surprise to thousands of planned attendees and partner organizations, including the governments of Australia and New Zealand who had spent nearly $90,000 in programming, flights, visas, and other costs.

[9] In May 2024, the Washington Post announced that the Asian American Literature Festival would return in September without the Smithsonian.