Stanford Makishi takes new role at Asian Cultural Council

Asian Cultural Council (ACC) Executive Director Jennifer P. Goodale announced the appointment of Stanford Makishi as Director of Programs. The newly created position signifies ACC’s ongoing, dynamic response to the changing needs of cultural, educational and artistic exchange between the United States and Asia. Mr. Makishi begins the new position on August 1.

“Ever since it was founded by John D. Rockefeller 3rd in 1963, ACC has played a crucial and visionary role in promoting major cultural and artistic exchanges between the United States and Asia as well as between the countries of Asia,” said Ms. Goodale in announcing Mr. Makishi’s appointment. “Stanford’s uniquely rich and varied artistic, cultural, and intellectual background will offer a new perspective on our work and facilitate ACC’s ability to meet the needs of contemporary artists at critical stages in their careers and the shifting issues that mark cultural exchange in our rapidly changing world.”

Mr. Makishi’s responsibilities will include leadership of the organization’s grant-making process, as well as exploring and creating new ways to meet the unique needs of each of the creative individuals funded by ACC.

“ACC has been remarkably forward-thinking in its support of important emerging artists, revered masters and scholars from a vast Asia, long before the digital age shrank our world,” said Mr. Makishi. “The organization is now identifying new ways to enrich the lives and careers of creative people, while remaining true to the far-sighted goals set forth by John D. Rockefeller 3rd nearly 50 years ago. I am thrilled and humbled to be able to help make this possible.”

Prior to his present appointment at the ACC, Mr. Makishi was Executive Director of the Baryshnikov Arts Center, where he oversaw all facets of the organization, including fundraising, strategic planning, capital expansion, budget oversight, artistic planning and programming, and general management of staff and facilities. During his tenure, in addition to more than doubling BAC’s annual operating budget, he put in motion a $15 million capital campaign, led the purchase and renovation of BAC’s new Jerome Robbins Theater, greatly expanded the Center’s robust residency program, and was closely involved with the launch of an international festival at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida.

As Director of Creative Services at Carnegie Hall, Makishi oversaw the group that serviced and optimized institutional brand management, publishing operations, Internet activity, fundraising efforts, pedagogy, and communications. Mr. Makishi was a performer with the Trisha Brown Dance Company and became the company’s development director after he retired from dancing. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mr. Makishi, 46, is a graduate of Harvard University, where he was recognized as a Harvard National Scholar and earned a bachelor’s degree in economics. He is presently a panelist for the dance program at the New York State Council on the Arts, a board member of the Trisha Brown Dance Company, and the Artistic Advisor for the Fall for Dance Festival at New York City Center.

The Asian Cultural Council awards an average of 100 grants a year for travel and study, totaling approximately $1.5 million annually, with offices and affiliates in Hong Kong, Manila, Taiwan and Tokyo. To date, the ACC has supported nearly 6,000 artists and scholars in cultural exchange programs; among them are Cai Guo-Qiang, Ushio Torikai, Lee Breuer, Yang Meiqi, Meredith Monk, Lin Hwai-min, Robert Wilson, Ming Cho Lee, and Barbara London.