Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Background | Locations | Museum | More

BACKGROUND

What is the Asia Society? When and why was it formed?
The Asia Society was founded in 1956 by John D. Rockefeller 3rd to foster understanding between Asians and Americans. The Asia Society is now America's leading institution dedicated to fostering understanding of Asia and communication between Americans and the peoples of Asia and the Pacific.

What are the goals of the Asia Society and how are they achieved?
The Asia Society provides a forum for building awareness of the more than thirty countries broadly defined as the Asia-Pacific region. Through art exhibitions and performances, films, lectures, seminars and conferences, publications, websites and assistance to the media, and materials and programs for students and teachers, the Asia Society presents the uniqueness and diversity of Asia to the American people.

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 national nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.

How does the Asia Society define Asia and why?
The Asia Society’s definition of Asia includes the more than thirty countries broadly defined as the Asia-Pacific region - the area from Japan to Iran, 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.

How are the themes and topics of Asia Society programs and exhibitions selected?
Asia Society exhibitions are selected on the basis of originality of theme, quality of the artwork, and scholarship of the curators. The Asia Society does not accept unsolicited exhibition proposals.

LOCATIONS

Where are the Asia Society local/regional centers?
The Asia Society’s headquarters are located in New York:

In the United States, the Asia Society also has regional centers in Southern California, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Northern California. The Asia Society is represented abroad by its regional centers in Hong Kong, Melbourne, Shanghai and Manila.

MUSEUM

Do you provide guided tours for exhibitions and if so when are they?
We provide daily, guided tours for our exhibitions when the Museum is open to the public. The tour schedule is: Tuesday through Friday at 12:30 and 2:00 pm, also Friday at 6:30 pm; Saturday at 12:30 pm; Sunday at 2:30 pm. Please contact Nancy Blume at 212-327-9237 to schedule a tour outside of these hours. From July 4 through Labor Day there are no Friday tours. During de-installation and installation periods there may not be any tours scheduled.

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. Address the envelope:

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.

Are strollers, umbrellas, and mobile phones allowed in the Museum?
Strollers are usually permitted in the galleries; however, certain exhibitions may have restrictions. No umbrellas or use of mobile phones are allowed in the galleries.

Does the Museum allow photography or videotaping?
Photography and videotaping are not permitted in the galleries.

What kind of art will I find at the Asia Society Museum?
The Museum exhibits traditional and contemporary Asian and Asian American art. The Asia Society’s Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3 rd Collection includes about 280 objects of exceptional quality from the traditional artistic cultures of Far, South, and Southeast Asia. A selection of objects from this collection is always on view. The two floors of galleries alternate between traditional and contemporary exhibitions.

How can I find out about what works of art are in the Museum’s collection?
The Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller 3rd Collection is thoroughly documented on the website The Collection in Context ( www.asiasocietymuseum.org). Here you can find detailed object information and Looking Deeper essays that feature new scholarship concerning the collection.

Where can I find out about past exhibitions?
Please visit our archive: http://www.asiasociety.org/arts/exhibitions.html.

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 envelope 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:

The National Association of Dealers in Ancient, Oriental & Primitive Art (NADAOPA)
P.O. Box 6794
Yorkville Finance Station
New York, NY 101-28-8013
Tel: 212 722-1558
Fax: 212 722-1933

http://www.artnet.com/orgs/organizations/nada/index.html

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
(212) 940-8590
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 a library of books or images that I can borrow from or use?
No, however, photographs of works in the Museum's collection can be rented. Please complete the application for reproduction rights [this is a pdf file so you must have Acrobat Reader] and send to rights@asiasoc.org [subject line "Permission Request"].

How do I obtain your current fee schedule for obtaining photographs and transparencies for reproduction?
Contact rights@asiasoc.org.

MORE

Does Asia Society offer grants and fellowships?
Asia Society is not a grant-making organization. A limited number of fellowships opportunities are available--check Fellowship Opportunities 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: https://www.asiasociety.org/membership/index.html. Here you will also find details about Regional Center membership 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 job openings at Asia Society?
All job openings (including internships and volunteer opportunities) are listed on our website at: http://www.asiasociety.org/about/careers.html.

Can I rent space in Asia Society and Museum?
To rent space in the Asia Society building, you have to be an Asia Society member (Corporate or President’s Circle / Friends of Asian Arts) or a non-profit. Please see the 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. If you have an Asia-related
event you want to submit, please go to AsiaSource's worldwide calendar at www.asiasource.org/events.