Established in November 2018, the Asian Cultural Council Japan Foundation (ACCJF) enjoyed its first two years of activities in 2019 and 2020.

Following ACCJF’s inaugural dinner in March 2019, ACC held its first grant ceremony in Japan in September, with the support of the Hara Museum of Art. ACC alumni and supporters warmly welcomed the new 2019 grantees as part of the ACC family.

In November, with the support of K. Mikimoto Co. Ltd., we hosted a talk by David Rockefeller, Jr. to introduce the history of Rockefeller philanthropy and ACC. We are also grateful for the support of Global Tree House, the Saison Foundation, Asia Society Japan Center, and ACC grantees, who have enabled us to organize many other events.

In 2020, although we had to postpone and cancel most of the fellowship grants and physical events due to the pandemic, we were able to continue our grant program for artists in need of connecting with their peers abroad through our new Japan Virtual Exchange Program. We also created a series of online talks, video presentations, and printed newsletters featuring ACC alumni, ACC’s activities, and reflections throughout the pandemic. Despite such a difficult time, we received considerable support from many new and old ACC friends, family, and alumni. We would like to deliver our deepest gratitude to those who have shown their support towards ACC, artists, and international exchange opportunities for the next generation.

We would also like to specially thank our Trustee, Mrs. Kazuko Aso, Life Trustee Mr. Yuji Tsutsumi, and the other ACCJF board members, who have all led ACC Japan Foundation through this new beginning. I also express sincere thanks to our first alum, Mrs. Masako Koyano, for her continuous support towards ACC.

With this new foundation, and with a community that believes in the possibility of creating a better and more peaceful world through the arts, ACCJF will continue our activities contributing to the international exchange of artists and the development of the arts.

Ritsu Yoshino
Director, ACC Japan

 

This message is part of ACC's 2019-2020 Annual Report. To read more, visit: https://www.asianculturalcouncil.org/pdf/2019-2020-annual-report.pdf.