The American-Chinese Cultural Initiative (ACCI) promotes cultural understanding, while also connecting U.S. and Chinese businesses, non-profit organizations, and government entities. China has developed a strong appetite for knowledge about the arts and culture of other nations over the years, and Meridian has been on the cutting edge in providing such content to both countries.

ACCI facilitates innovative exchange programs that showcase collaborations between Americans and Chinese in art, music, dance, film, and cultural media. Activities include:

• Promoting people-to-people exchanges that involve government cultural officials, art administrators, scholars, art collectors, curators, and artists.
• Creating exhibitions, forums, symposia, concerts, training courses, and other public programs.
• Encouraging cooperation between American and Chinese art museums and other cultural institutions.
• Arranging for exhibitions to travel to multiple venues in the U.S. and China.
• Designing and producing education guides and activities linked to art and cultural efforts.

Through such collaborations and related activities, ACCI advances dialogue about significant cultural, economic, and strategic issues relevant to U.S.-China relations, using a framework established through an agreement signed between Meridian and the China International Culture Association in 2011.

Exchanges of artists and artworks are an integral part of ACCI. Chinese artists can travel to the United States, meet their American counterparts, and visit American museums and art institutions. American artists can enjoy similar experiences in China. Through such people-to-people connections, participants learn about each others’ cultures while serving as ambassadors for their own countries. Americans and Chinese gain a new understanding that bolsters our friendship and strengthens ties between the two nations while building upon the success of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the recent 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

As a public/private partnership, ACCI brings together government and business to assist leaders in understanding the forces that underlie the U.S.-China bilateral relationship. Companies who partner with Meridian under the aegis of ACCI will comprehend the broad reach that cultural exchange has at all levels of each society – from decision makers to their constituents. As a non-political, high-profile project, ACCI emphasizes the history and culture that motivate and define each nation. Our partners will work with Meridian to ensure that the funding and outreach of ACCI are aligned with its mission.