Welcome!
As one of the oldest support councils of The San Diego Museum of Art the Asian Arts Council (AAC) has played a significant role in the history of the Museum. It exists to foster interest in the Museum’s Asian art collection and to support curatorial efforts. Our monthly meetings feature programs by visiting scholars chosen to expand our knowledge of our rich and varied Asian collection, an exhibition, artist, medium or historical period. We have an active study group promoting in depth study on a variety of topics. Organized trips include bus trips to other Southern California museums and travel to other cities to enjoy exhibitions of Asian interest. The Asian Arts Council affords members a rich experience of Asian art and a deeper appreciation of the objects in our permanent collection. Please join us!
Of the holdings of the Museum’s permanent collection, almost 50% consists of Asian objects spanning many cultures, historical periods and media. The ongoing gallery rotations from the permanent collection, coupled with periodic special exhibitions, offer a rich, stimulating and diverse visual experience for members, visitors and guests.
Proudly opened in February, 2012. The Art of East Asia features works from Japan, China and Korea arranged in five distinctive gallery settings.
South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Persian Art
Paintings from the esteemed Edwin Binney 3rd Collection were featured in a new gallery that opened in January, 2017, in the back of the Museum's West Wing. While the small gallery is called the Binney Gallery, South Asian art art is resting for a few years.
Chairman: Tom Dillon
Vice-Chairman: Chad Patton
Secretary: Joanne Meredith & Heather Simmerman
Treasurer: Mary Witztum
These meetings feature distinguished speakers with expertise on a wide range of topics related to Asian art. We will be meeting on the last Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. on Zoom, with the exception of November and December when there are no meetings. Non-members may register for meetings for FREE by clicking here, scrolling down and selecting this month's lecture. It's a real deal, and donations are welcome! (In-person meetings were free for AAC members and only $10 for Museum members and $12 for non-Museum members. Students attended for $8).
Newsletter
Members receive a subscription to the
monthly Asian Arts Council newsletter.
To receive a free copy, email for information.
Now available! A chance to give to support the Asian Galleries! See the Membership and Giving Back pages for more information.
Covid-19 has impacted all museums! Supporting our Museum has never been so important! The Asian Arts Council has played a significant role in the history of the Museum by providing funding in support of research, education and conservation. We support curatorial efforts by bringing scholars to the Museum who share their expertise with museum staff and with us at our monthly meetings. In addition to research and education, ensuring the safety and the future of objects in the collection through conservation and restoration is a special focus of our annual membership renewal appeal and our conservation fund. To learn more about how we do it and what we’ve done, visit the Giving Back page.
AAC Board
The Board meets on the third Monday of each month via Zoom. There is no meeting in December. If you would like to visit the Board meeting, and you are a member, while there are Zoom meetings, please visit and get involved. Click here to send an email to request a Zoom invitation to a board meeting. The all-volunteer Board serves a two year term with Committee Chairs serving, hopefully, forever. Meetings are open to members. For a list of current officers and committee chairs (and Bylaws), click here. For more information, please contact us. To see a calendar, click the link.
Textiles of Asia: Living, Dyeing and Cultures Intertwined is the theme for FY23, continuing the textile theme for another year. Two more presenters are needed for next year's Study Group. AAC members and Museum docents have an opportunity for in depth research on a theme chosen each year by the group. The Study Group meets on the third Monday of the month in the Museum’s Boardroom at 10:00 a.m. to hear presentations by its members. There are no Study Group meetings in December, January, July or August). Check the Calendar page for the next meeting, or the Study Group web page for the schedule.
Dues for FY23 are due now! Visit our Membership Page to join or renew now for the great benefits we offer. New members are always welcome! $50 for an individual membership, $75 for a dual membership is a great deal for Supporting members of the Museum.
We are grateful for those who continue to support The San Diego Museum of Art's Asian Art Council.
