'Donation is important to support artists'

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Thu, November 30, 2023 | 23:24

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'Donation is important to support artists'

Posted : 2016-11-16 17:12

Updated : 2016-11-16 19:32

Wendy O'Neill, the chairwoman of the Asian Cultural Council, speaks during a press conference at Namsan Arts Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Monday.
/ Courtesy of Seoul Institute of the Arts

By Kim Jae-heun

Wendy O'Neill, the chairwoman of Asian Cultural Center (ACC), hopes to find local corporations to support Korean artists during her visit to Korea, she said Monday.

O'Neill, a fifth-generation member of America's wealthy Rockefeller family, visited the Ansan campus of the Seoul Institute of the Arts to present its president, Yoo Duk-hyung, with the John D. Rockefeller 3rd Award. Yoo was recognized for his contributions to international understanding and appreciation of the arts in Asia.

The ACC has supported 122 Korean artists since the foundation was established by John D. Rockefeller III in 1963, to build global cultural bridges, particularly between America and Asia.

"We probably give one to three grants a year to Korean artists and scholars," said ACC executive director Miho Walsh during a press conference at Namsan Arts Center in central Seoul, Monday.

"That is not because there aren't enough quality artists. It is because of the limited funding. So first and foremost, I can say that ACC is very much looking for partners in Korea, with whom to raise money for more grants."

However, the chairwoman disagreed on the lack of support for artists in Korea and said the limited funding is due to the hope of sending more local artists abroad.

O'Neill also stressed the importance of donating as she started giving to charity at a young age by donating 10 cents of her 25 cents allowance. She said it was a natural practice and she kept it in her account book, where there was a column for charity and a column for her allowance.

"John D. Rockefeller Sr., the first generation, was a very religious man, very Christian and he believed that his wealth was to be used for the good of mankind and before he was wealthy, he was giving away 50 percent of his money. So it was just probably part of his being, something that has passed down to us throughout the generations," said O'Neill.

The head of the ACC added that donating gives much in return, in a way that grantees become donators themselves and continue to contribute to the global art scene, which moves her deeply. O'Neill explained her role in the foundation is an enriching experience just by watching Professor Yoo -- and what he has done after his time in the United States.

The executive director agreed, calling it a relatively new practice of corporate social responsibility that many corporations are proud of. ACC brings people together and builds meaningful and long-lasting relationships through supporting arts and culture.

The ACC has supported 6,000 Asian artists and American scholars during the last 53 years in various sectors such as architecture, film, music and theater. Painter Kim Whan-ki is one of the first artists to receive an ACC grant in 1964, followed by Paik Nam-june the following year and Yoo in 1966.

jhkim@ktimes.com