About The American-Scandinavian Foundation
The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) promotes international understanding through educational and cultural exchange between the United States and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Founded in 1910 by Danish-American industrialist Niels Poulson, the ASF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization that carries on an extensive program of fellowships, grants, trainee placement, publishing, membership offerings, and cultural activities. It is headquartered in New York City and has alumni, donors and associate members worldwide. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees of individuals from the United States and Scandinavia, representing diverse interests yet linked by personal or professional ties to the Scandinavian countries. The five Nordic Heads of State serve as the organization's Patrons.
Exchange Activities
Over the years, more than 27,000 young Americans and Scandinavians have participated in ASF's exchange programs of study, research or practical training. Many of its alumni have gone on to leading positions in business, government and the arts. Through these programs, the ASF cultivates enduring academic, professional, and personal ties between the U.S. and the Nordic countries.
Fellowships
Each year the ASF awards nearly $800,000 in fellowships and grants to individual students, scholars, professionals and artists for projects abroad.
Training
The ASF's training program enables young Americans and Scandinavians to receive practical working experience while living abroad. Scandinavian trainees participate in the program in the U.S., in fields such as engineering, shipping, law, business administration, agriculture and cabinetmaking. A smaller number of Americans also find training assignments in Scandinavia, mostly in technological fields.
Cultural Programs
The ASF presents a wide range of cultural programs at Scandinavia House - The Nordic Center in America. Most programs are open to the public, while others are presented as a special benefit for the ASF's membership.
Public Project Grants
The ASF helps bring American and Scandinavian life, art and thought to public audiences by giving financial support of nearly $200,000 each year to other institutions through its Public Project Grants program. A special effort is made to reach audiences outside the ASF's homebase in New York City.
Publishing
The ASF provides information on Scandinavian topics to a broad audience through the publication of its magazine, Scandinavian Review. The preeminent English language publication devoted to contemporary Scandinavian affairs and culture, Scandinavian Review has been published continuously since 1913. Issued three times a year, it is distributed to individual subscribers and libraries, in the U.S. and abroad. The ASF also publishes a quarterly newsletter, Scan, which features news from Scandinavia, provides information on Scandinavian events throughout the U.S.A., and reports on the ASF's activities. Other ASF publications include a Bi-Annual Report, the annual on-line guide Study in Scandinavia; and The Longboat (an annual newsletter for ASF Fellows).
Scandinavia House - The Nordic Center in America
The American-Scandinavian Foundation operates Scandinavia House - The Nordic Center in America. Located at 58 Park Avenue, between 37th and 38th streets in midtown Manhattan, it is close to many of New York City's other cultural, business and transportation facilities. Scandinavia House contains an auditorium, exhibition galleries, meeting and reception rooms, a library, a book/gift shop and a cafe in an eight-story building of over 28,000 square feet. Scandinavia House was designed by Polshek & Partners, Architects, with Barney Skanska as Construction Manager. The mission of Scandinavia House is to promote the Nordic region as a whole while increasing the visibility of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden in New York City and the United States.
Prizes
As part of its cultural program, ASF recognizes talent and accomplishment through several awards such as the Translation Prize, the Birgit Nilsson Prize, the Gold Medal and the Cultural Awards. The Gold Medal, ASF's highest honor, has been presented to The Nobel Foundation on the occasion of the Nobel Prize Centennial and to H.E. Vigdís Finnbogadottír, President of Iceland from 1980-1996, and H.E. Martti Ahtisaari, President of Finland from 1994-2000, among others. Recipients of the ASF Cultural Award include Ingmar Bergman, Swedish film and theater director; Liv Ullmann, Norwegian actor and director; Esa-Pekka Salonen, Finnish composer and former Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; Gunnar Sønsteby, Norwegian World War II Resistance Hero; Louisa Matthiasdóttir, Icelandic artist; and Nikalaj Hübbe, Artistic Director of the Royal Danish Ballet.