Cover Josie Natori, chairman of the Asian Cultural Council, believes in the importance of art and culture in achieving peace (Photo: Courtesy of Asian Cultural Council)
Josie Natori, chairman of the Asian Cultural Council, believes in the importance of art and culture in achieving peace (Photo: Courtesy of Asian Cultural Council)
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As the first chairperson of the Asian Cultural Council (ACC), who has no familial ties to the Rockefellers, Josie Natori aims to make a significant impact in people’s lives
For 60 years before 2023, the Asian Cultural Council, a revered institution for cultural exchange, has had only three chairpersons. The first was Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller, the wife of the founder, John D Rockefeller III; Elizabeth McCormack, a former nun and trusted friend of Blanchette, who headed the Rockefeller family’s Philanthropic Office; and Wendy O’Neill, grandniece of JDR III.
This year, however, the ACC did a first. When it elected its fourth chairperson, it chose a Filipina with no familial ties to the Rockefellers. The announcement read: We are pleased to announce that Josie Cruz Natori was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Asian Cultural Council at our May Board meeting.
Read more: Fashion icon and arts patron Josie Natori elected as Asian Cultural Council’s new chair
The ACC started in 1963 as the Asian Cultural Program established by JDR III to support cultural exchange in Asia and the United States through grants to individuals and organisations working in the visual and performing arts.
It was managed mainly by a founding director. After JDR lII’s death in 1978, the ACP became the Asian Cultural Council, a nonprofit foundation that would continue the founder’s vision. A board of trustees, led by the chairman, was put in place.
Natori, a world-renowned designer based in New York City, has been serving the ACC Board since 1995, an involvement that comes naturally to her. In the announcement of her selection, she explained, I love my work, but success in fashion is not enough. I want to give something back, to make a difference in people’s lives.
If you recall, she also initiated the creation of a fashion guild in Manila to help the fashion industry in the country thrive. In 2000, she helped establish the ACC Philippines Foundation, an ACC’s affiliate office in Manila.
ACC is like a family,
she tells Tatler over a phone interview. “A good team and a great board that works together. Not one person can do the job.”
However, sitting at the top is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement that’s not lost even on Natori. It’s a great honour,
she says of her new board position. It’s an amazing organisation. I am very proud of what it has done, especially for many Filipinos.
Since 1963, over 300 Filipinos have been awarded grants, including nine national artists such as Jose Joya, Lucrecia Kasilag, Jose Maceda, Alice Reyes and Ramon Santos.
She considered several factors. I love ACC’s focus in the arts and cultural exchange between the US and Asia. With ACC’s unique global focus on the development of individuals and select institutions, I thought I could have more impact.
Natori starts her term on a milestone year. On this 60th year of the ACC, the second of two annual board meetings is being held in Manila this month. It will be the first time Natori will chair the meeting.
A benefit gala will be held mainly to start an endowment fund for ACC Philippines. To raise funds, we host annual auctions in partnership with Leon Gallery,
says Tess Rances, ACC’s Philippine programme director. The board, however, has seriously deemed that an endowment fund would be more permanent, and any funds raised from our regular art auction can augment it,
Rances adds, sharing that the biggest drawback to giving a grant to a Filipino is the volatile foreign exchange rate between the peso and the dollar.
Read more: Check out the pieces featured at León Gallery's ACC auction 2023
Above Josie Natori (standing, 2nd from left) with the ACC Philippines Board members and the ACC Global Board members
Josie Natori (standing, 2nd from left) with the ACC Philippines Board members and the ACC Global Board members
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Expect Filipino hospitality and creativity to shine at its fullest during the gala. This is our chance to show off,
comments Natori. O’Neill, along with over 40 foreign guests, including 12 global board members are expected to fly to Manila, with the rest joining virtually for the board meeting. The latter will miss the extravaganza of the gala. After all, according to Rances, Most of our board members and affiliate offices say, ‘Every time the Philippines hosts a gala, count on an artistic production!
To be held at the Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel, the gala will take everyone back to the glorious Art Nouveau era. “There will be music and dance numbers from the Thirties,” shares Rances. “This is our way of showing Manila as it transformed and the American influence that followed. The 30-minute production will show Maynila as the historical inspiration, moving on to vaudeville.”
Filipino grantees of the ACC will be lending their talents to ensure the country puts its best foot forward. Gino Gonzales, Nes Jardin, Chris Millado and Barbie Tan Tiongco are involved in the production. Performers include the Alice Reyes Dance Company, the Madrigal Singers, Bituin Escalante, Poppert Bernadas and more.
Stepping into the future
The new chairman has a clear direction for the ACC moving forward. We are synthesising and articulating our mission and vision. Since it is a living organisation, we must learn to adapt to changes and new ways, especially in technology.
The first thing that changed is the board’s tenure, including that of the chairman. We started to impose a term for the chairman—a minimum of three years with a maximum of six. I think this is very healthy,
she says.
Above Josie Natori, chairman of the Asian Cultural Council, believes in the importance of art and culture in achieving peace (Photo: Courtesy of Asian Cultural Council)
Josie Natori, chairman of the Asian Cultural Council, believes in the importance of art and culture in achieving peace (Photo: Courtesy of Asian Cultural Council)
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Digitalisation is also a top priority. We have over 5,000 grantees, and they are our biggest asset, she states firmly. Natori hopes “to gather more alumni, increase the dialogue amongst them and get them more involved in ACC”, including at the board level.
This is what excites me!
she says. As an artist herself (she is also a concert pianist), Natori sees culture and arts exchange as the way to achieve world harmony. As we say, in this endeavour there are no politics. It’s a link that binds countries and people together. In this chaotic world, we need to focus on what unites us,
she states.
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Credits
Interview: Josie Natori
Images: Courtesy of Asian Cultural Council
Images: Courtesy of ACC Philippines
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A journalist of more than 30 years, Chit has had varied exposures in this field, both in hard news as well as in soft news, and brings everything she has learnt to the production of the magazine. When not writing or editing, Chit is deeply involved in her chosen service organisation, Rotary International.
