On May 11, 2022, ACC kicked off our 60th Anniversary year with a festive gala at TAO Downtown in New York City for 280 guests. ACC alumni, trustees, friends, and honored guests from around the world gathered for this milestone celebration.

During the gala, ACC awarded the prestigious John D. Rockefeller 3rd Award to two acclaimed artists and ACC alumni, Cai Guo-Qiang (ACC 1995, 2006, 2012) and Midori (ACC 2009). This biennial award commemorates John D. Rockefeller 3rd’s lifelong interest in Asian art and culture by recognizing individuals from Asia or the United States who have made a significant contribution to the international understanding, practice, or study of the visual or performing arts of Asia. The 2022 award was presented by ACC Trustees Hope Aldrich and Charles Rockefeller, daughter and grandson of John D. Rockefeller 3rd.

Alongside Cai and Midori, Board Chairman Wendy O’Neill and Executive Director Judy Kim presented an Honorary Award to Akiko Yamazaki for her leadership in promoting artistic dialogue and cultural exchange between the U.S. and Asia. Yamazaki’s contributions have been myriad as Chair Emerita of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, piano soloist and chamber musician, recipient of the MTNA STAR award for excellence in teaching and leadership, and a major supporter of contemporary Asian art.

Gala Co-Chairs included Yama and Goodwin Gaw, Mr. and Mrs. Cho-Liang Lin and the ACC Taiwan Foundation, Dominic and Ellen Ng, Wendy O’Neill and David Rayner, Susan and David Rockefeller, Jr., Masako and Yoichiro Ushioda, Sir Gordon and Lady Ivy Wu, and Mercedes Zobel, with Ambassador Caroline Kennedy as Honorary Chair. Guests included ACC Trustees; Chairman of ACC Japan Foundation, Kazuko Aso; Director of ACC Taiwan, Rita Chang; Japanese architect and alum Kengo Kuma (ACC 1985; JDR 3rd 2019); ACC Hong Kong Trustee Daphne King Yao; and the President of the Asian Art Museum Foundation, Salle Yoo.

On this special night, ACC was honored to share a testimonial video featuring alum Jin Xing (ACC 1988), who discussed her growth and journey with ACC, as well as an original dance performance beautifully choreographed by Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish (ACC 2018). Through the active participation and generous contributions of those listed above and the greater ACC community, ACC was able to celebrate our 60th Anniversary year with the return of in-person cultural exchange, raising over $1.6 million.