FAQs

General

Where does the Asia Society receive its funding from?

The Asia Society is supported by contributions from foundations, corporations, and individuals who believe in the mandate of the Society: to build bridges of understanding between Americans and Asians.

Is the Asia Society a part of the U.S. government, the United Nations, or any other multilateral or state organization?

No, the Asia Society is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

Does Asia Society offer grants and fellowships?

Asia Society is not a grant-making organization. A limited number of fellowships opportunities are available—visit our Fellows page for details.

Do I have to be a member to see the exhibitions or attend programs?

The Asia Society is open to the public as are our programs, unless otherwise indicated. The best way to experience the Asia Society is through the benefits of membership including unlimited free admission to the galleries and discounts on programs and in AsiaStore and the Garden Court Café.

How do I become a member?

You can become a member through our website at: http://www.asiasociety.org/support/membership. Here you will also find links for memberships at our various locations and relevant contact information.

Does Asia Society offer language classes?

No, the Asia Society does not offer language classes.

How can I find out about working at Asia Society?

All job openings (including internships and volunteer opportunities) are listed on our website at: http://www.asiasociety.org/about/career-opportunities.

Can I rent space at Asia Society and Museum?

For information on renting space at Asia Society and Museum in New York, please visit our Space Rental page or inquire further with the Events Department at 212-327-9322.

Please note that Museum space cannot be rented.

Can I list my event on Asia Society's web calendar?

Only Asia Society events are listed on our institutional website.

Locations

Where is Asia Society located?

Asia Society has major centers and public buildings in New York, Hong Kong and Houston, and offices in Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, San Francisco, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Washington, DC and Zurich; websites for each location detail local activities.

Museum

How are the themes and topics of Asia Society exhibitions selected?

Asia Society exhibitions are selected on the basis of originality of theme, quality of the artwork, and scholarship of the curators. We do not accept unsolicited exhibition proposals.

What kind of art will I find at the Asia Society Museum? What is in the permanent collection?

The Museum exhibits traditional, modern and contemporary Asian and Asian American art. The Asia Society Museum Collection comprises both traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian American art. The Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection includes about 280 objects of exceptional quality from the traditional artistic cultures of Far, South, and Southeast Asia. In 2007, Asia Society launched a collecting program concentrated on the acquisition of contemporary Asian and Asian American art, the first U.S. museum to formally establish a collection focused exclusively on the field. A selection of objects from the permanent collection is always on view. Two floors of galleries alternate between traditional and contemporary exhibitions, and include exhibitions of permanent collection objects and objects on loan.

You may find out what is currently on view at the Asia Society Museum in New York here. Information about upcoming and past exhibitions is also available on the Museum website. Visit the websites for Hong Kong and Houston to find out what is on view in the galleries there.

The Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection is thoroughly documented on the website The Collection in Context which includes maps, detailed object information and "Looking Deeper" essays that feature new scholarship concerning the collection.

Do you provide guided tours for exhibitions? How can I find out about visiting the Museum?

We provide daily, guided tours for our exhibitions when the Museum is open to the public. Information about hours and tours is available here.

How do I donate works of art from my collection to the Museum?

Please be aware that the Museum’s collections policy is highly selective. Please send a photograph of your work of art to the Curator of Traditional Asian Art or the Curator of Contemporary Asian and Asian American Art for consideration:

Asia Society Museum
725 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021-5088

In order for the Museum to consider the work, enclose a letter indicating your intention to offer the work as a gift, along with detailed object information (artist, artist's dates, title, work date, medium, dimensions, provenance, insurance value, and preferred credit line for the gift). The Museum will be in contact with you if interested in the work.

What is the procedure for submitting my portfolio for review by the Museum’s curatorial staff?

If you would like to submit work, please send us a cover letter, no more than 20 slides, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. We cannot accept original works of art, nor do we assume responsibility for any original works that are submitted. Please address the submission to:

Curator of Contemporary Art
Asia Society Museum
725 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021

The Museum is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions. Due to the large number of submissions, it may take up to one year to review your materials. Please do not call the Museum to inquire about the status of your submission. We do not guarantee a response but will be in contact with you if we are interested in your work.

How can I find out the value of a work of art, its provenance, or attribution?

Museum staff cannot answer questions referring to the value, provenance, or attribution of any work of art. Below is a list of reputable organizations that help people with those questions:

Telepraisal
316 East 3rd Street
New York, NY 10009
Tel: 1-800-645-6002

American Society of Appraisers
P.O. Box 17625
Washington, DC 20041
Tel: 703-742-8471; 1-800-ASA-VALU

Appraisers Association of America
386 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
Tel: 212-889-5405

Art Dealers Association of America
575 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Tel: 212-488-5550
Fax: 212-940-6484
Email: adaa@artdealers.org

Where would I go to have a work of art restored?

The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works, at 202-452-9545, guides collectors on how to find and choose qualified conservators in their particular area of the country.

Does the Museum have images that I can borrow from or use? What is the fee for obtaining photographs and transparencies for reproduction?

If you are interested in seeking reproduction rights for images of works in the Museum's collection, please fax a request indicating the image and detailing proposed use to 212-517-7246.