Grassroots Exchange and Education 2015 Grants
National
Performance Network New Orleans, LA
US/Japan Connections – Building a Community
(Year 2)
Project Director: Kyoko Yoshida
$45,564
This project strives to expand the organization’s partnership with the Japan
Contemporary Dance Network (JCDN) and to strengthen its network relations
by including a younger segment of cultural practitioners from
organizations such as Arts NPO Link and Opener Network of Performing Arts
(ON-PAM). By doing so, National Performance Network, aims to develop the
capacity of a younger generation interested in engaging with their communities
and reflecting the role of the arts in today’s society and ways of addressing
the profound effects caused by natural disasters.
Volunteers in Asia Stanford, CA
Strengthening Japan/US Networks to Equip the Next Generation of Social
Innovators (Year 2)
Project Director: Yi Zhang
$70,000
The project aims to further social innovation education in Asia and the U.S. by
fostering a group of youth changemakers and building a network of educators and
students leaders who inspire each other by sharing
their experiences and resources. The objectives are 1. Engage educators both in
Asia and the U.S. to improve social entrepreneurship education 2. Foster a core
group of emerging leaders in Asia and the U.S. 3. Build a Network among
educators, youth leaders, social entrepreneurship practitioners 4. Develop curricula, teaching materials and an online
dissemination platform to support educators and youth leaders.
Columbia University New York, NY
National Simulcast on Japan and Study Tour for K-12 Teachers (Year 2)
Project Director: Roberta L. Martin, Ph.D.
$83,397
The objectives of this project is to provide high quality content on Japan over
a range of subject areas to teachers throughout the U.S. through 1) an on-going
series of national simulcasts programs that are accessible and convenient to
teachers and 2) an annual related study tour to Japan for outstanding teachers
participating in the program. The project aims to provide professional
development opportunities and curriculum materials for K-12 teachers as well as
to provide opportunities for teachers to travel to Japan to gain first-hand
experience to the country to enrich their curricula and classrooms.
Ohio State University Columbus, OH
Strengthening the Infrastructure to Produce Future Leaders in Ohio and the
Midwest (Year 3)
Project Director: Richard Torrance, Ph.D.
$40,968
The project aims to serve as a catalyst for the growth of the next generation
of leaders for US-Japan relations. The project will support cooperative
activities such as educational outreach, career and professional development in
Ohio, the Midwest and Japan. Such activities include physical and virtual
“Discovery Boxes” containing various items from Japan for schools, networking
and training of teachers, and mentorship network for students interested in
Japan.
U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation Washington, DC
Strengthening the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association
(JETAA) Network and Connecting Next Generation Leaders (Year 3)
Project Director: Laurel Lukaszewski
$78,260
The “Strengthening the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association
(JETAA) Network and Connecting New Generation Leaders” project proposes to
establish regional networks and organize regional and national conferences and
outreach programs. This broad objective will encompass building the
infrastructure of JETAA by conducting a strategic planning session, applying
for federal nonprofit tax-exempt status, conducting research and analysis of
the JETAA’s capacity to improve governance, strengthen the network, and improve
the quality and impact of outreach activity through programming and social
media.
National
Association of Japan-America Societies Washington, DC
JAS Network Services through NAJAS
Project Director: Peter Kelley
$70,000
This project aims to provide an integrated
program for the Japan-America Society networking by combining structural,
program and network growth support from the National Association of
Japan-America Societies (NAJAS). This will include the development of
leadership capability through a Board Regional Meeting in February 2016,
mentoring meeting for newly hired Executive Directors, individual society
meeting. Program support will include providing single speaker funding for JAS
events throughout 2015 and early 2016 in order that they may attract and retain
members.
Portland
Japanese Garden Portland,
OR
Creating the International Institute for Japanese Garden Arts and Culture
Project Director: Cynthia J. Haruyama
$30,000
This project aims to create an educational institute within the Portland
Japanese Garden that will use Japanese gardens and garden-related arts such as
ikebana, chado, bonsai and calligraphy to demonstrate and teach Japan’s rich
cultural heritage to American audiences in the 21st century.
The institute will engage many of those who are interested in Japanese gardens
in order to promote and foster broader understanding and appreciation of
Japanese culture.