Description
TO: Sean Buffington
FROM: Helena Kolenda
COPY: Mina Camacho; Li Ling; Yuting Li; Linda Ward
DATE: June 1, 2018
RECOMMENDATION: Discretionary grant of $50,000 to the Los Angeles Review of Books ( https://lareviewofbooks.org/ ) in renewed support for the China Channel ( https://chinachannel.org/ )
In June 2017, we recommended, and you approved, a $50,000 grant to the Los Angeles Review of Books (LARB) to launch the China Channel , an online magazine of writings and cultural content on China. The Asia Program recommends renewed support.
The China Channel (CC) was established as one of a series of LARB affiliate “channels” that address specific topics; others include the Philosophical Salon for philosophy and Marginalis for religious studies . CC distinguishes itself from other China-focused online magazines or podcasts by foregrounding the literary and cultural aspects of China. The content is geared to appeal to those new to China as well as to specialists. CC’s editorial team is overseen by Jeffrey Wasserstrom, Chancellor’s Professor of History (Modern China) at UC Irvine.
Our grant covered preparatory work for the site and editorial costs since its formal launch in late 2017. To date, CC has published 60 essays and book reviews and some two dozen podcasts. Its offerings have included translations of fiction and poetry, commentary on contemporary culture, and visual material. In addition to Han Chinese literature, CC has more recently begun a “Borderlands” project featuring work by non-Han ethnic groups. While its primary remit is books, CC has not steered clear of stories in the news, running pieces, for example, on the #metoo movement in China and increases in censorship. Its authors cross generations, ethnicities, careers and career stages, ranging from high profile writers such as Howard French (journalist and professor at Columbia University) and Louisa Lim (former NPR China correspondent and now a professor at the University of Melbourne) to freelancers and graduate students. A steady stream of contributions has brought three to five new pieces to the site each week. CC is now averaging 13,000 page views per month. LARB regularly features China Channel pieces on its main webpage and in its newsletter for members, thereby bringing the content to its audience of half a million monthly readers and listeners.
Following award of our grant last year, CC secured funding from the Long Institute for U.S.-China at UC Irvine to support graduate student editorial and technical assistance, thereby allowing our funds to commission additional content as well as compensate editorial staff. Outreach to Occidental College and other institutions looks likely to result in student internships at CC. Wasserstrom is engaged in active and creative fundraising, and is in promising conversation with funders including the Bosch Foundation in Germany, institutions in Taiwan, the Knight Foundation and the LA-based Berggruen Charitable Foundation. Cost-sharing partnerships with sister publishing platforms such as Louisa Lim’s The Little Red Podcast are seen as another strategy for stretching dollars, broadening reach and enhancing content.
While LARB and CC continue efforts to consolidate other funding streams, they seek renewed investment from the Luce Foundation to maintain steady state. We like what we see, CC’s readership is growing, and the site is garnering positive comment. We are therefore pleased to endorse this request for a grant of $50,000, half of the proposed budget, to keep the good work flowing. The Long Institute has indicated its intention to renew funding. UC Irvine will continue to contribute in the form of Wasserstrom’s time, and LARB’s provision of technical support, promotion, financial administration and facilities extends beyond the specific costs reflected in the request.
