Meet the 2025 Asian Cultural Council Fellows—artists and scholars advancing intercultural dialogue through unique fellowships. The grants will Support Cultural Exchange.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

The Asian Cultural Council (ACC) has officially revealed the 2025 Asia Grant Cycle recipients, granting a total of $920,371 to 37 distinguished individuals representing an array of disciplines including visual arts, music, dance, theater, architecture, literature, and more. These awards are aimed at advancing cross-cultural dialogue and enriching global artistic practices between the United States and Asia, as well as within the Asia-Pacific region.

An Overview of ACC’s 2025 Asia Grant Cycle

Founded in 1963, the Asian Cultural Council has remained at the forefront of global cultural exchange, championing collaboration across borders. The 2025 cycle upholds this legacy, empowering artists and scholars from Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Macau SAR, the Philippines, Taiwan ROC, and beyond.

This year, the Council has awarded:

• 16 New York Fellowships
• 18 Individual Fellowships
• 3 Graduate Fellowships

Each fellowship provides comprehensive logistical, financial, and institutional support, enabling grantees to explore and exchange diverse cultural perspectives.

New York Fellowship: Bridging Cultures

The New York Fellowship invites 16 grantees for a six-month period. Recipients will explore topics such as theater arts, video production, urban anthropology, and cultural integration, developing collaborative relationships with peers, institutions, and ACC alumni.

Notable recipients include:

• Joed Balsamo (Philippines) – An acclaimed composer and conductor with credits spanning musicals, operas, and film scores across Asia.
• Caro Chan (Hong Kong SAR) – A multilingual actress and translator, bridging African and Asian narratives through performance.
• I-Hsuen Chen (Taiwan ROC) – A visual artist blending street photography and performance to dissect media and identity.
• tsu-tsu (Japan) – A dancer transforming Japanese classical movement into socially resonant performances.

These individuals will not only immerse themselves in New York’s dynamic artistic landscape but also contribute significantly to the city’s global cultural narrative.

Individual Fellowship: Enabling Cultural Integration

The Individual Fellowship enables 18 grantees to travel across 11 countries and regions, conducting self-directed research projects. With destinations including India, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, fellows will explore themes such as ecological consciousness, social justice, heritage conservation, and interdisciplinary innovation.

Among the recipients are:

• Tomomi Adachi (Japan) – A performance innovator blending sound poetry with experimental music and self-invented instruments.
• Chen Jie (Mainland China) – A curator deeply rooted in the study of ancient ceramics and material culture.
• Summer Cat (Hong Kong SAR) – A scholar reshaping literary research through self-portraiture and experimental academic writing.
• Kenji Chiga (Japan) – A visual storyteller using photography and installation to unpack historical and social tensions.

The Individual Fellowship promotes artistic risk-taking, encourages cross-cultural learning, and facilitates the creation of original, impactful work across Asia.

Graduate Fellowship: Supporting Next-Generation Cultural Leaders

With a focus on advanced education, the Graduate Fellowship supports three outstanding artists from the Philippines. It supports them in the pursuit of graduate studies in the United States. This fellowship targets applicants in fields that are underrepresented in their home countries. It offers full coverage of travel and living expenses.

Recipients include:

• Alain De Asis – A violinist whose career spans major Filipino orchestras. He is poised to deepen his classical repertoire through academic training.
• Aina Ramolete – A puppeteer preserving Philippine puppet arts through innovative visual storytelling and academic research.
• Alexa Andrea Torte – A dancer committed to redefining movement as a transformative and educational tool.

Through this fellowship, ACC cultivates future cultural ambassadors, ensuring that Asia’s rich heritage and emerging narratives continue to flourish.

Empowering Transnational Artistic Dialogue

Out of the 37 grant recipients, 24 will travel to the United States, while 13 will travel within Asia. The travel itinerary reflects ACC’s balanced commitment to intercontinental and intraregional exchange.

The Council’s efforts serve a dual mission:

1. Strengthening mutual understanding between East and West through shared cultural experiences.
2. Enabling Asian artists to learn from and contribute to diverse cultural contexts beyond their home countries.

By funding research-based, immersive experiences rather than purely production-focused projects, ACC distinguishes itself as a leader in process-driven cultural exchange.

Noteworthy Impact Since 1963

Since its founding, the Asian Cultural Council has awarded over $100 million to more than 6,000 fellowship exchanges. The award distribution cuts across 16 disciplines and 26 countries and regions. ACC alumni include globally recognized names in art, music, literature, and cultural preservation.

The organization’s longstanding influence lies in its holistic support model—nurturing not only creative output but also intellectual development, cultural sensitivity, and cross-border collaboration.

Global Reach and Lasting Legacy

The ACC’s grants are a critical platform for artists to engage with diverse perspectives and form enduring international partnerships. It is an opportunity to bring back transformative experiences to enrich their home communities. This year’s roster exemplifies the extraordinary depth and diversity of Asian talent, promising ripple effects across generations.

From urban installations in Tokyo to sustainable architecture in Shanghai, and from experimental dance in Manila to critical curatorial practices in Taipei, the ACC 2025 cohort is poised to inspire, innovate, and connect cultures across the globe.

Looking Forward: The Future of Cultural Exchange

The next global application cycle for ACC grants will open in Fall 2025. The application process will continue the Council’s dedication to identifying and supporting visionary artists, thinkers, and cultural workers.

Those interested in applying should monitor the official ACC website for updates, eligibility criteria, and submission guidelines.