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.

Upper Category Member Events

Annual Sponsor and Donor Member Event – Beyond the Endgame Exhibition Conversation and Tour

September 26, 2026

1:00 p.m. Meet and mingle 1:30 p.m. Conversation with Curator Martina Köppel-Yang via Zoom from Paris 2:00 p.m. Tour of the exhibition 3:00 p.m. Society event ends 4:00 p.m. to […]

Arts of Asia Lecture Series

Arts of Asia Fall 2026 Unknown Makers, Lasting Beauty: Rethinking Fine Art Across Asia

September 11, 2026

Of the thousands of objects in the museum’s collection, most were created by unknown makers. Many works are unsigned, and others have lost attribution over time. For generations, such pieces […]

Literature Courses

Fall 2026 Literature Course The Ramayana in Literature and the Arts

October 11, 2026

A lustful proposition accompanied by a gruesome threat. A violent, humiliating rejection. A retaliatory—and lascivious—kidnapping. A long search for the one kidnapped. A war of recovery. Slaughter. Victory. Glorification of […]

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

Saudi Arabian Odyssey Canceled

Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, we have decided to cancel this trip. If and when the situation changes, we will review and decide whether to reschedule […]

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

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