Asia Society

Asia Society
Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Asia Society
Caption	Logo of Asia Society
Formation	1956
Founder	John D. Rockefeller III
Headquarters	New York City
Type	Nonprofit organization
Purpose	Cultural, policy, and educational exchange between Asia and the United States
Region served	Global
Leader title	President
Leader name	Josette Sheeran

Asia Society Asia Society was founded in 1956 to strengthen relationships among United States and countries across Asia. It engages in public diplomacy, cultural exchange, policy research, and educational programming connecting cities such as New York City, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Mumbai. The organization collaborates with institutions like the United Nations, Smithsonian Institution, Brookings Institution, and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to present exhibitions, convene dialogues, and support students and professionals across the Pacific Rim and Eurasia.

History

The organization was established by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller III amid Cold War-era efforts linked to postwar initiatives such as the Marshall Plan and growing ties with Japan after the Occupation of Japan. Early leadership engaged diplomats, philanthropists, and scholars connected to the Council on Foreign Relations, the Truman administration, and cultural figures associated with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Columbia University. In the 1960s and 1970s it expanded programming during events like Sino-American rapprochement and state visits involving leaders from People's Republic of China, India, and South Korea. Architectural commissions and landmark exhibitions involved firms and individuals related to Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Philip Johnson, and curators from the Museum of Modern Art. During the late 20th century the institution responded to geopolitical shifts including the Vietnam War, the rise of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and economic transformations in Hong Kong and Taiwan. In the 21st century it adapted to new networks of diplomacy around events such as the Asian Financial Crisis and policy forums like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

Mission and Programs

The organization's mission emphasizes ties between artistic, policy, and business communities, partnering with stakeholders from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and private foundations such as the Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York. Programs include policy forums that convene officials from ministries and representatives linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (China), Ministry of External Affairs (India), and foreign ministries of Japan and South Korea. Educational initiatives partner with universities including Harvard University, Yale University, Peking University, University of Tokyo, and Jawaharlal Nehru University. Cultural programs work with museums like the National Palace Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum, and galleries connected to artists who have exhibited in Venice Biennale and Documenta. Business and trade briefings engage corporations such as Toyota Motor Corporation, Samsung, Tata Group, and financial institutions like Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Citigroup.

Global Network and Centers

The organization maintains a global network with major centers in New York City, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Mumbai, Seoul, Manila, Jakarta, Beijing, and Houston. Regional partnerships extend to institutions in Singapore, Bangkok, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, and Dhaka. Centers collaborate with cultural venues such as the Asia Art Archive, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and performing venues connected to the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and national theaters across Asia. Networked programming has included joint initiatives with the Asia-Europe Meeting and scholar exchanges tied to the Fulbright Program and the Rhodes Scholarship community.

Governance and Funding

Governance is overseen by a board of directors composed of leaders from finance, diplomacy, philanthropy, and the arts, including chairs with affiliations to firms like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, and nonprofit entities such as Rockefeller Foundation. Senior staff have backgrounds in administrations connected to figures from the U.S. State Department, former ambassadors, and academics from institutions like Columbia University and Stanford University. Funding sources encompass private donors, corporate sponsorships from multinationals including HSBC and Sony Corporation, foundation grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and earned income from ticketed exhibitions and events. The organization has engaged in contractual partnerships related to government cultural diplomacy projects coordinated with delegations to forums like the G20 and regional economic summits.

Cultural and Educational Initiatives

Programming includes art exhibitions featuring artists tied to movements visible at the Venice Biennale, retrospective exhibitions with loans from the National Gallery (London), and curatorial collaborations involving curators associated with Tate Modern and the Guggenheim Museum. Performing arts series present musicians connected to institutions such as the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, and soloists who have appeared at the Carnegie Hall and Royal Albert Hall. Film programs screen works with filmmakers who have participated in festivals such as Cannes Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and Berlin International Film Festival. Education work includes school partnerships modeled on exchanges like the Fulbright Program and curricular projects developed with universities including Columbia University and the National University of Singapore, as well as fellowships for journalists linked to outlets such as The New York Times, BBC, and The Washington Post.

Criticism and Controversies

The organization has faced scrutiny over perceived alignment with corporate sponsors and questions similar to debates involving institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and cultural bodies during controversies such as donor influence debates tied to corporations and states. Critics have raised issues comparable to those surrounding think tanks like the Council on Foreign Relations and policy centers including the Brookings Institution when sponsorships involve entities linked to contentious state policies or commercial interests. Programming in regions such as Hong Kong and Beijing has prompted discussion about balancing access and independence, echoing disputes that have affected international cultural diplomacy during events like the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests and controversies around exhibitions at museums implicated in debates over funding. The organization has occasionally revised partnerships and programming in response to media coverage and stakeholder feedback involving journalists from outlets such as Reuters and The New York Times.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States