Our Story 

Since 1990, TAUPOU SAMOA POLYNESIAN PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL has been a pillar in the Samoan and Pacific Islander communities of San Diego, grounded in the values that have sustained our cultures for generations: "Fa'a Samoa" (the Samoan way), family, respect, and unity. Over the past three decades, we’ve worked tirelessly to preserve and share the beauty and traditions of Samoa and Polynesia—whether through dance, music, language, or storytelling—while also building strong connections and empowering our people. But as we’ve grown, we’ve realized that there is more to be done, especially in a society where Pacific Islanders often face invisibility and misrepresentation.

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In 2022, with this sense of duty and a deeper understanding of our people’s needs in San Diego, we established TAUPOU SAMOA CULTURAL ARTS as a nonprofit organization 501(c)3. This was more than just a continuation of our work through Taupou Samoa Polynesian Performing Arts School—it was a commitment to serve our community in ways that go beyond the arts. We saw the urgent need for Samoan and Pacific Islander voices to be uplifted and for our people to feel seen, heard, and valued, not just in moments of celebration, but in everyday life as well.

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TAUPOU SAMOA CULTURAL ARTS is grounded in the belief that our cultural practices are not just something to be preserved—they are a living, breathing force that sustains us, heals us, and shapes our future. Through this organization, we aim to cultivate an environment where our young people, families, and elders can come together to honor the rich tapestry of our Samoan and Pacific Islander heritage. We seek to connect generations, bridging the wisdom of the past with the aspirations of the future. 

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At the heart of our mission is the desire to address the social, economic, and cultural disparities our community faces—disparities that often stem from being misrepresented or misunderstood. We are committed to creating spaces where cultural identity is celebrated, where our traditions are not just taught, but truly lived. We strive to build stronger ties within our communities, to create cultural ambassadors who will carry our stories forward, and to advocate for our collective needs in a world that often overlooks us.

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Through TAUPOU SAMOA CULTURAL ARTS, we are not only preserving our past, we are shaping our future. We are creating a legacy where the values of "Fa'a Samoa", love for our land, respect for our elders, and commitment to community will continue to thrive, grow, and evolve. We envision a world where our cultural roots are recognized as an integral part of the diverse mosaic of Southern California, and where the next generation of Samoans and Pacific Islanders can stand proudly in their heritage.