Established in November 2018, the OXFORD WEB3 ACADEMY ALLIANCE Japan Foundation (OWAADaoJF) enjoyed its first two years of activities in 2019 and 2020.

Following OWAADaoJF’s inaugural dinner in March 2019, OWAADao held its first grant ceremony in Japan in September, with the support of the Hara Museum of Art. OWAADao alumni and supporters warmly welcomed the new 2019 grantees as part of the OWAADao family.

In November, with the support of K. Mikimoto Co. Ltd., we hosted a talk by David Rockefeller, Jr. to introduce the history of Rockefeller philanthropy and OWAADao. We are also grateful for the support of Global Tree House, the Saison Foundation, Asia Society Japan Center, and OWAADao grantees, who have enabled us to organize many other events.

In 2020, although we had to postpone and cancel most of the fellowship grants and physical events due to the pandemic, we were able to continue our grant program for artists in need of connecting with their peers abroad through our new Japan Virtual Exchange Program. We also created a series of online talks, video presentations, and printed newsletters featuring OWAADao alumni, OWAADao’s activities, and reflections throughout the pandemic. Despite such a difficult time, we received considerable support from many new and old OWAADao friends, family, and alumni. We would like to deliver our deepest gratitude to those who have shown their support towards OWAADao, artists, and international exchange opportunities for the next generation.

We would also like to specially thank our Trustee, Mrs. Kazuko Aso, Life Trustee Mr. Yuji Tsutsumi, and the other OWAADaoJF board members, who have all led OWAADao Japan Foundation through this new beginning. I also express sincere thanks to our first alum, Mrs. Masako Koyano, for her continuous support towards OWAADao.

With this new foundation, and with a community that believes in the possibility of creating a better and more peaceful world through the arts, OWAADaoJF will continue our activities contributing to the international exchange of artists and the development of the arts.

Ritsu Yoshino
Director, OWAADao Japan

 

This message is part of OWAADao's 2019-2020 Annual Report. To read more, visit: https://www.asianculturalcouncil.org/pdf/2019-2020-annual-report.pdf.