Lectures, Classes, Symposia

Lectures | First Thursday Lecture Series | Arts of Asia Lecture Series | Docent Lectures Literature Course | Workshops | Study Groups | Educator Workshops | Symposia

The museum, together with its affiliate the Society for Asian Art, offers a variety of lectures, classes and workshops that enable you to delve deeper into Asian art and culture. Many of our past lectures are now available for free downloading on iTunes University.

Lectures

Please view the e-calendar for upcoming lectures at the Asian Art Museum.

First Thursday Evening Lectures

Sponsored by the Society for Asian Art
6:30 pm–8:00 pm
Education Studio

The fee for these lectures is a $5 non-refundable contribution to the Society for Asian Art. Reservations are required. Seating is limited. To register, please call the Society for Asian Art at 415-581-3701. See the Society for Asian Art website for detailed information about upcoming talks.

Arts of Asia Lecture Series

Gods and Goods: Global Art and Trade
When: Fridays, August 28 – December 11, 2009
Time: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Place: Samsung Hall
For a detailed schedule of talks, fees, and registration information, please visit Society for Asian Art.

Sponsored by the Society for Asian Art.

Docent Lectures

Our trained docents in the Community Speakers Program (CSP) offer informal, illustrated talks on current exhibitions and special themes. For a modest fee, these talks can also be taken to your community group or office. For a list of lecture topics and to request a talk please call the Asian Art Museum at 415-581-3664 or email docent@asianart.org.

Docent slide talks in the museum occur on the fourth Sunday of every month at 2:30 pm in the Education Studios. Note: No slide talk in December.

To learn about upcoming docent lectures, please visit the e-calendar.

Also, don't miss our daily docent tours in the galleries.

Literature Course

Topics explored in the past have included recent recent Chinese literature, the Ramayana, and Hindu mythology. Read more about the literature course.

workshops and classes

Two-day Workshop: Traditional Thai Dance

Saturdays, December 5 and 12

10:30 am-2:00 pm

Samsung Hall

$50 for museum members; $84 for general public (includes general admission and entry to Emerald Cities for both days); Bring your own bag lunch or buy it at Café Asia.

Dance instructors from the Thai Cultural Center of the San Francisco Bay Area lead this class introducing the graceful and precise classical and dramatic of Thai dance. The class will also introduce some of the themes presented in the dance such as stories from Thai history, literature and mythology that borrow largely from Hindu traditions and the practices and customs of ancient royal courts. Space limited, pre-registration is required: publicprograms@asianart.org or (415) 581-3665.

To register, please return registration form to: Public Programs Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102 or fax it to 415.581.4706.

Japanese Fabric Genius
A Sewing Circle Field Trip Hosted by Serentripity
December 5
10:00 am–5:00 pm

$105 includes general admission

Who says a sewing circle needs to sit still? This meet-up remixes elements of old and new to explore some new intersections of the Bay Area and Japan. The trip begins with a practicum and demonstration session in furoshiki, the traditional Japanese art of fabric folding so you can learn how to package all kinds of things without resort to paper or plastic. We will discuss Japanese export culture and complete a functional Japanese craft with the noted Bay Area artist and arts educator, Corinne Okada Takara. Designed especially for our group, this project will blend elements of contemporary Japan with the creative thriftiness of Meiji era Japan. Next, we take a docent-led tour of the Asian Art museum with a special emphasis on textiles. Includes lunch and tea. For crafters, Japanese otaku, or anyone too broke to go to Japan. Take home your finished craft, and a project template. Expect some surprises and other unexpected kawaii delights throughout the day.

Japanese Fabric Genius hosted by Serentripity at the Asian Art Museum. Space is limited, pre-registration required. Click here to register and follow the instructions on the Serentripity website.

Chinese Calligraphy Workshop with Aiqin Zhou

Saturday, January 16
10:30 am– 2:00 pm

Education Studios
$40 members; $52 general (includes museum admission and art supplies; bring your own bag
lunch or buy it at Cafe Asia)

Chinese calligrapher and painter Aiqin Zhou teaches basics of calligraphy brushwork.
Space limited, pre-registration required: publicprograms@asianart.org or (415) 581-3665.

To register, please return registration form to: Public Programs Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin Street San Francisco, CA 94102 or fax it to 415.581.4706.

Study Groups

Typically held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, these groups offer in-depth study of a specific topic, often with hands-on demonstration and evaluation of objects. Read more about the study groups.

teacher training events

Read more about upcoming teacher training events.

SymposiA

There are no symposia scheduled at this time.

Visit the museum's e-calendar to view other upcoming Lectures, Classes, and Workshops.