Society for Asian Art

The Society for Asian Art is an independent nonprofit organization that provides programs on Asian art and culture and supports the Asian Art Museum.

Travel

The Kingdom and Treasures of Thailand

January 12, 2026

The Kingdom and Treasures of Thailand with Dr. Julian Brown January 12 – 22, 2026 This trip is now sold out and a waitlist has been established. If you want […]

Study Group

Zoroaster: The Most Influential Philosopher and Prophet in History

January 31, 2026

This study group examines Zoroaster, an Indo-Iranian prophet whose philosophical teachings significantly influenced the development of Zoroastrianism, a tradition that began in the mid-second millennium BCE. The analysis presents Zoroaster […]

Arts of Asia Lecture Series

Arts of Asia Spring 2026 Asia Reimagined: Mapping Cultures Beyond Borders

February 6, 2026

In an age when cultural identities are increasingly fluid, Asia Reimagined invites you to explore how artists, ideas, and aesthetics have long transcended national boundaries and how the artistic soul, […]

Arts of Asia Lecture Series

Join the Society for Asian Art as we explore the concept of tradition in Asian art and culture with prominent scholars from across the country

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Fall 2024 Beyond the Familiar: A Deeper Look into the Asian Art Museum Collection

Our Programs

Arts of Asia Lecture Series

The Arts of Asia Lecture Series have served as the primary educational component of the Asian Art Museum docent training program. Each lecture series is organized around a theme chosen by the Instructor of Record and the Arts of Asia Committee. Prominent scholars and curators from across the country are invited to present the lectures.

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Yi Eungrok - Books and scholars’ possessions (chaekgeori)

Literature Courses

The literature courses typically consist of two to six sessions, each two hours in length. Recent subjects include Journey to the West, Chinese poet Qu Yuan, Ottoman Empire history and culture, the Old Testament, Japanese poetry, Chinese classical literature Jin Ping Mei, the Ramayana, Tale of Genji, and Hindu mythology.

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B60J619 Cup with Calligraphic Inscriptions

Member Events

The Society offers programs to members and the general public that broaden understanding of the scope of Asian art and culture. Many of these, such as the annual spring dinner, holiday party, and visits to galleries, are held outside the museum.

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Study Group

Study groups are typically full-day or half-day programs designed to offer in-depth study of a subject. Sometimes this involves hands-on demonstrations and evaluations of objects.

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Travel

We work with various tour operators to offer trips with outstanding scholars to international destinations, which focus on Asian art, art history, archaeology, and architecture. Recent international destinations include Thailand, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Scandinavia, Paris, and South India. We also organize domestic trips to Asian art exhibitions, events and private collections across the country.

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B81D33.3 The Heroine Chanda fanning her beloved, Laurak, under a tree, from a manuscript of the Chandayana

Upper Category Member Events

The Society puts together unique events exclusively for Upper Category Sponsors, Donors and Contributors. These events are typically limited in attendance and held in private homes.

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Latest News

Celebrate the Season with the Society for Asian Art

Join us for this year’s Annual Holiday Party on Sunday, December 7 at Guillermina Asian Arts & Antiques, a delightful shop in Point Richmond known to our members for its […]

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join our community

We provide interesting, educational, compelling and dynamic programs on Asian art and culture to our members and the public.

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