Frequently Asked Questions
About Asia Society | Planning Your Visit | Health and Safety | Programs | Museum | Facility Rentals | Photography | Employment and Volunteering
About Asia Society
What is the purpose of Asia Society?
Asia Society Texas Center is a non-partisan organization, dedicated to building bridges for a better understanding among the peoples, leaders, and institutions of Asia and the West. The Texas Center strives to enrich and engage Houstonians by offering innovative and relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, and education. Through these offerings, we embrace diversity of thought and serve as a platform for the exchange of communication. Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government. All views expressed in its publications and on its website are the sole responsibility of the author or authors.
How large is Asia Society?
Asia Society has offices in 14 different cities: New York, Houston, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Zurich. Currently, there are only 3 three operating centers: Texas, Hong Kong, and our main headquarters in New York.
Is Asia Society a part of the U.S. government, the United Nations, or any other multilateral or state organization?
No. Asia Society is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
How does Asia Society define Asia and why?
Asia Society's definition of Asia includes the more than 30 countries broadly defined as the Asia-Pacific region—the area from Japan to Saudi Arabia, and from Central Asia to New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. This definition of Asia is not an attempt to define what Asia ought to include or represent. It is a construct based on certain geographical, political, economic, and historical assumptions and is as flexible as any other definition might be.
Where does Asia Society receive its funding from?
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 Asia and the west.
Asia Society Texas Center, while a part of the global organization, is also its own nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, funded by the generous support of other foundations, corporations, and individuals non-affiliated with the global organization. Consider making a donation to support our mission.
Why is there an Asia Society in Houston?
Houston has consistently been named one of the most diverse cities in the United States and is home to a large number of Asians and Asian Americans. Recognizing the need to educate Americans about Asia, a group headed by former First Lady Barbara Bush and former Ambassador Roy M. Huffington established Asia Society Texas Center in 1979. Visit our Mission & History page to learn more about how the organization got started.
How long has the Center been around?
Construction on the $48.4 million building began in January 2010 and finished by fall 2011. It opened to the public April 14, 2012. To learn more about the building's architect and architecture, please visit our About the Building page. Monthly architecture tours are offered or can be scheduled with our education department.
Planning Your Visit
Where is Asia Society Texas Center located?
Asia Society Texas Center is located at 1370 Southmore Boulevard in the heart of Houston's Museum District. For directions on how to get to Asia Society, please visit our Plan Your Visit page.
What are Asia Society Texas Center's hours?
The building's Gallery hours are from Wednesday through Sunday, Wednesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Java Lava Cafe hours are from Wednesday through Sunday, Wednesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Asia Society is closed to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays and select holidays.
Where can I park?
Convenient paid parking is available in Asia Society's parking lot located directly across the building on Southmore Boulevard. Enter from either Caroline Street or Austin Street. The lot is $7 per 24 hours (credit/debit only). Asia Society Members pay $5 for parking. Please use your credit card to access our parking, and visit our front desk where the actual charge of $5 will be made on your card.
Prepaid parking is available to patrons attending many of our programs. Please see the parking section in our ticketing policies for more information.
Limited metered parking is available on surrounding streets (Southmore Boulevard, Austin Street, and Oakdale Street). Restrictions are enforced. Bicycle racks are available in the parking lot at no cost, and are located in the southeast corner near the intersection of Southmore Boulevard and Austin Street.
Do I have to be a member to see the exhibitions or attend programs?
Asia Society is open to the public as are our programs, unless otherwise indicated. Asia Society members, however, receive exclusive benefits including free admission to the gallery, and free or discounted admission to author talks, artist programs, Asia Society film screenings, and other ticketed programs. Please visit our Membership page for more information on membership benefits.
Do I have to bring my membership card if I am a member?
Your card is not required to visit, however, providing your membership card upon entry will allow for faster check-in to programs and exhibitions.
Is there an admission fee to visit the building?
Admission to the building and the Fayez Sarofim Grand Hall is free. Admission to the Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery is free for Asia Society Members and children ages 12 and under, $5 for students and seniors, $8 for nonmembers.
Do you have a café?
Java Lava Cafe serves 100 percent premium Kona coffee from KarmaSu Coffee Farm in Hawaii, plus breakfast, lunch, and sweet treats.
Do you have a gift shop?
Asia Society currently does not have a gift shop, however, Asia Society New York's AsiaStore can be accessed online. Members receive a 10% discount.
Updated March 24, 2022.
Health and Safety
Additional policies and procedures are in place to ensure our community's health and safety. Please review our health and safety guidelines.
Updated March 24, 2022.
Programs
What kind of programs does Asia Society offer?
The Texas Center strives to enrich and engage Houstonians by offering innovative and relevant programs in arts and culture, business and policy, and education.
Asia Society hosts a variety of programs throughout the year including artist talks, author programs, film screenings, lectures, panel discussions, and dance performances. Asia Society also holds a community Night Market and AsiaFest each year. To see a listing of all our program offerings, please visit our Upcoming Events page. You can also subscribe to our e-newsletter or follow our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts to be notified of upcoming events.
Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government. All views expressed in its publications and on its website are the sole responsibility of the author or authors.
What learning opportunities are available for students and teachers?
Besides school tours, Asia Society offers yearly ExploreAsia summer camps for kids, as well as a Young Leaders Institute for high school students. For more information, please visit our Student Programs page.
Asia Society occasionally offers beginner Mandarin, Yoga, and Tai Chi courses. Additionally, educator workshops are available throughout the year on a variety of topics.
Can I list my event on Asia Society’s web calendar?
Only Asia Society events are listed on our institutional website.
What is the procedure for submitting program proposals?
If you would like to submit a program proposal, please complete and submit the form found on the Mission & History page of our website. Asia Society 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 Asia Society 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 idea.
Where can I find event recaps or recordings of past programs?
Photos, recaps, recordings, and highlight reels from select programs are made available on our online blog. Visit our Past Events page to find a full listing of events that have already taken place.
Museum
Do you provide guided tours for the building and exhibitions, and if so, when are they?
We provide monthly guided tours for our buiding and exhibitions, usually on the first or second Saturday of the month. See our list of upcoming tour dates. To schedule a school or group tour outside of these designated days, please contact Phuong Ha, Education and Outreach Manager, at PHa@AsiaSociety.org
What kind of art will I find at Asia Society Texas Center?
The museum exhibits traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian American art. The center is not a collecting institution; therefore, the exhibitions and artwork rotate throughout the year. Asia Society Texas Center’s only permanent exhibition is Korean artist Lee Ufan’s Relatum — signal, located in the Allen Sculpture Garden, installed February 29, 2011. For more information on past, current, or upcoming exhibitions, please visit our Exhibitions page.
Can I take pictures of the building and the artwork?
Patrons are encouraged to capture their experiences at Asia Society. Photography/videography of art in the building is permitted on a case by case basis. In spaces where photography is allowed, the use of flash, as well as tripods and monopods, is prohibited at all times.
Note that signage on the doors of the Asia Society main entrance state that photography is not allowed. As such, Asia Society reserves the right to withhold and/or withdraw permission to photograph/video on its premises.
No photographs or video taken in the building may be reproduced, distributed, or sold without permission. Please contact Stephanie Todd-Wong, Director of Communications and Audience Engagement, with special photography/videography requests at STWong@AsiaSociety.org
How are the themes and topics of Asia Society programs and exhibitions selected?
Asia Society exhibitions are an important component of accomplishing our mission as an organization. We endeavor to bring to our audience the highest quality art curated with excellent scholarship, ranging across the regions of Asia and the time periods in its history. Exhibitions are selected based on these goals. Asia Society Texas Center is not a collecting institution.
What is the procedure for submitting Exhibition proposals?
If you would like to submit an Exhibition proposal, please complete and submit the form found on the Mission & History page of our website. Asia Society 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 Asia Society 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 idea.
How do I donate works of art to Asia Society Texas Center?
Asia Society Texas Center is not a collecting institution. Asia Society Museum in New York is; however, the Museum’s collection policy is highly selective. In order for the museum to consider the work, a photograph of the work must be provided to the Curator of Traditional Asian Art or the Curator of Contemporary Asian and Asian American Art for consideration. Address the envelope:
Asia Society Museum
725 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10021-5088
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 or recommend individual appraisers because of a potential conflict of interest. To locate an appraiser that matches your needs, call or visit the websites of the following professional associations:
American Society of Appraisers
International Society of Appraisers
I have damaged artwork. How do I find a conservator?
To find a conservator in your area, visit The American Institute for Conservation for referrals.
Facility Rentals
Can I rent the facility for a private event?
Spaces available for rent include the Brown Foundation Performing Arts Theater, Fayez Sarofim Grand Hall, Water Garden Terrace, and Edward Rudge Allen III Education Center. The cost of rental varies depending on the number of guests and which spaces you choose to rent. To view our different spaces, or for more information, please visit our Space Rental page. You can email EventsTX@AsiaSociety.org with any questions.
Please note that the Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery cannot be rented.
Photography
Can I use Asia Society as the location for a photo shoot?
The use of Asia Society for commercial photography (wedding photos, corporate headshots, etc.) is considered a rental. For a 2-hour session, prices start at $200 for interior and $100 for exterior. Should you wish to take photographs at Asia Society, please contact EventsTX@AsiaSociety.org
Do I need permission to use Asia Society's website and social media photos?
For press and other special photography requests, including commercial and educational film projects, please contact Stephanie Todd-Wong, Director of Communications and Audience Engagement, at STWong@AsiaSociety.org
Employment and Volunteering
Are there any job openings at Asia Society?
Please visit our Career Opportunities page for a listing of open positions at Asia Society Texas Center.
How can I volunteer with Asia Society?
Please visit our Volunteer page for a listing of current volunteer opportunities. Complete the form found at the bottom of the page.