Asia Society

Asia Society is a non-profit, non-partisan educational institution dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the United States. Founded in 1956, it addresses a range of contemporary issues across the fields of arts, culture, business, education, and public policy. With a global network of centers, it serves as a vital forum for dialogue and a presenter of cultural and intellectual exchange.

History

The institution was established in 1956 by American philanthropist John D. Rockefeller III, who envisioned an organization to bridge the gap in understanding between Asia and the West following the Second World War and the Korean War. Its early work focused on fostering intellectual exchange, supporting initiatives like the Congress for Cultural Freedom and facilitating visits by prominent Asian figures to the United States. Under the leadership of its first president, Robert Blum, the organization expanded its scope, establishing a permanent headquarters in New York City in 1961. Key milestones include the 1981 opening of its landmark building on Park Avenue, designed by Edward Larrabee Barnes, and a significant period of global expansion beginning in the 1990s under president Nicholas Platt, which saw the establishment of centers in Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seattle, Shanghai, and Zurich.

Organization and leadership

The institution operates as a global network of interconnected centers, each with its own board and programming tailored to regional interests, all under the umbrella of a central board of trustees. Its global headquarters remains in New York City. Notable leaders have included John D. Rockefeller III as founder and longtime chairman, with Robert Blum serving as the first president. Later, Nicholas Platt presided over a major era of international growth. The current president and chief executive officer is Josette Sheeran, a former executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme and under secretary for economic, business, and agricultural affairs at the U.S. Department of State. The board of trustees has included distinguished individuals such as former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who served as president of the Asia Society Policy Institute.

Programs and initiatives

Programming spans multiple disciplines, convening leaders from government, business, academia, and the arts. Major forums include the annual Asia Society Global Summit and the Williamsburg Conference, which gather influential figures for high-level dialogue. In education, it produces curriculum materials, hosts student programs, and administers the Asia Society Partnership for Global Learning. Its arts programming presents performing arts tours, film screenings, and literary events featuring artists from across Asia. The institution also addresses critical issues through initiatives focused on climate change, gender equality, and technological innovation, often in partnership with organizations like the World Economic Forum and the United Nations.

Asia Society Museum

Located within the New York City headquarters, the museum is renowned for presenting both traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian American art. Its exhibitions have featured major historical surveys of art from China, Japan, India, and Korea, as well as groundbreaking shows of modern artists such as Zhang Huan and Raqib Shaw. The museum's collection includes significant works like the Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection, a premier grouping of Asian artworks. It also manages the Asia Society Texas Center gallery in Houston and collaborates on exhibitions with international museums like the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Museum of Korea.

Asia Society Policy Institute

Established in 2014, this research and advisory division tackles major policy challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region and U.S.-Asia relations. It produces analytical reports and convenes track II diplomacy dialogues, focusing on issues such as strategic stability, trade, and climate change. The institute was first led by former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and includes a high-level council of former officials like Carla Hills and Yoriko Kawaguchi. Notable projects have included the "Task Force on U.S.-China Policy" and initiatives on North Korea and the future of the Indo-Pacific, engaging with policymakers from the White House, U.S. Congress, and governments across Asia.

Category:Organizations based in New York City Category:International organizations based in the United States Category:Asian-related organizations in the United States