[Seoul, March 10, 2025]

As part of a strategic initiative to strengthen its International Advisory and Directors' Board (IAB), Culture Masters CEO Park Seongyong has appointed two distinguished experts from the United Kingdom and France as new IAB directors. This decision was made in consultation with Dr. Jayarajan Vakil, Chair of the IAB, with support from Mr. Eivind Falk, IAB Member, and reflects Culture Masters’ continued commitment to expanding its global leadership in Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).

The Culture Masters International Advisory & Directors' Board (IAB) has been playing a pivotal role on the global stage, not only by innovatively appointing Arirang Masters—exemplary figures in the field of intangible cultural heritage worldwide—but also by adopting an emergency statement for a culture of peace in May 2024.

Strengthening Global Representation

The appointment of Joanne Orr from the United Kingdom is particularly significant, aligning with the UK’s recent ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Her expertise will provide Culture Masters with new opportunities for collaboration with British institutions and key stakeholders in the field of cultural heritage. Orr has an extensive background in heritage management, museum planning, and strategic development, and her contributions are expected to be invaluable in advancing various projects under Culture Masters.

Similarly, the addition of Chantal Jumel from France marks a crucial step in strengthening Culture Masters’ partnerships with UNESCO and European heritage experts. A renowned scholar, writer, and artist specializing in Indian visual and performing arts, ritual painting, and symbolic writing, Jumel's work deeply aligns with Culture Masters’ vision of promoting intercultural dialogue and artistic expression.

With the appointment of new IAB directors, the board has expanded to include representatives from 17 countries, now comprising Australia, Azerbaijan, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, South Africa, South Korea, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, and Uzbekistan. This expansion further strengthens Culture Masters’ diverse and globally connected Directors' board, reinforcing its commitment to advancing intangible cultural heritage worldwide.

IAB Structural Enhancement & Strategic Operations

To further solidify the role of the International Advisory and Directors' Board (IAB), Culture Masters has implemented a performance-based participation system, ensuring active engagement and accountability through term structures and compensation policies.

The recently revised IAB operational guidelines reflect Culture Masters' strong commitment to transforming the board into a more results-driven and impactful entity. Additionally, the IAB has unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing the WIN 2025-2028 projects, reinforcing its commitment to advancing global ICH initiatives.

New IAB Director Profiles

Photo sourced from UNESCO(https://ich.unesco.org/en/trainer/orr-joanne-02471)

Joanne Orr (United Kingdom)

With over 30 years of experience in cultural heritage preservation, Joanne Orr has played a pivotal role in shaping international discussions on ICH. As the former CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS), she was instrumental in enhancing ICH awareness in the UK and successfully registered MGS as the first official UK NGO accredited under the UNESCO 2003 Convention.

She has held key positions in organizations such as the ICH NGO Forum, the UNESCO Scotland Committee, and the British Council’s Cultural Protection Fund, earning global recognition for her contributions to the cultural heritage sector. Her recent publication, Practitioner Perspectives on Intangible Cultural Heritage, is widely regarded as an essential resource for heritage protection strategies.

Photo sourced from https://www.chantal-jumel.fr/bio

Chantal Jumel (France)

A leading authority in Indian visual and performing arts, Chantal Jumel specializes in ritual painting and symbolic traditions, particularly in South Indian art forms such as Kolam and Kalam. Her work explores the intersection of heritage and spirituality, reinterpreting ritual arts as poetic visual languages that emphasize cultural identity and communal bonds.

As both a scholar and practitioner, her holistic approach to cultural heritage preservation aligns seamlessly with Culture Masters' mission. Her expertise is expected to contribute significantly to the organization’s creative and academic strategies for safeguarding ICH.

Culture Masters, together with IAB and numerous cultural and artistic professionals, warmly welcomes the new IAB directors and looks forward to their meaningful contributions in fostering the preservation and global promotion of intangible cultural heritage.