Asian Contemporary Art Week is a six-day, city-wide event focusing attention on the richness and diversity of Asian and Asian American contemporary art in New York through programs such as gallery receptions, lectures, performances, studio visits, and a symposium. The art scene in New York frequently reflects cultural changes. For example, the growing population of nearly one million Asian residents in New York City has no doubt influenced the recognition of Asian and Asian American artists over the past decade. Asian Contemporary Art Week acknowledges this cultural shift. In addition to events and exhibitions, the Asia Society's symposium, Looking Ahead: Dialogues in Asian Contemporary Art, offers the opportunity to participate in discussions between curators, artists, scholars, and writers. Themes addressed in these informal conversations include art patronage and collecting Asian contemporary art, new modes of curatorship, transnational artists in the United States, and the proliferation of Asian biennales. The report Asian Contemporary Art in New York: The Last Ten Years, 1992-2002, produced in conjunction with the Week, provides additional background information on the growth of interest in this burgeoning field from museums, galleries, auction houses, as well as audiences. As the inaugural Asian Contemporary Art Week and first initiative of the Asian Contemporary Art Consortium (ACAC) this diverse program offers viewers the opportunity to respond to, participate in, and learn more about Asian and Asian American art. Asian Contemporary Art Consortium (ACAC): Ethan Cohen, Ethan Cohen Fine Arts Vishakha N. Desai and Melissa Chiu, Asia Society Dennis Elliot, International Studio and Curatorial Program Esa Epstein, Sepia International, The Alkazi Collection Michael Goedhuis, Goedhuis Contemporary Yu Yeon Kim, Independent Curator Jung Lee Sanders, Art Projects International Stephen McGuinness, Plum Blossoms Margo Machida, Asian/Pacific/ American Studies, NYU Christophe Mao, Chambers Fine Art Steve Pacia and Shumita Bose, Bose Pacia Modern Jack & Susy Wadsworth, Collectors Merrill Lynch is a proud sponsor of Asian Contemporary Art Week. This program is also made possible with the support from the Peter Norton Family Foundation, Kent S. Charugundla, Tania and Anilesh Ahuka, and two anonymous collectors.