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

Lecture and Book Signing by Arjia Rinpoche

Saturday, April 3

2:00 pm

Samsung Hall

Tibetan Buddhist teacher Arjia Rinpoche presents his memoir Surviving the Dragon. The memoir chronicles Arjia Rinpoche’s story growing up as a reincarnated lama in Kumbum, one of Tibet’s six great monasteries, and subsequently surviving 16 years of manual labor in collective farms in China. The book opens a fascinating window into a personal account of events in Tibetan-Chinese history from during the final half of the twentieth century, and sheds light on the conflict that continues today between China and its ethnic minorities. A book signing with the author follows after the lecture.

Arjia Rinpoche is one of the most important religious leaders to escape Tibet since the Dalai Lama fled into exile in 1959. He started the Buddhist Center for Compassion and Wisdom (TCCW) in Mill Valley, California, and is the Director of the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center (TMBCC). He lectures across the United States and the world as a religious leader of Tibetan Buddhism and an authority on Tibetan art and culture. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

Surviving the Dragon will be available in bookstores on March 3.

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

See the Society for Asian Art website for detailed information about upcoming lecture series.

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

Japanese Fabric Genius

A Sewing Circle Field Trip

Saturday, April 10

10:00 am–5:00 pm

$125 for non-members, $115 for members (includes admission and materials)

Who says a sewing circle needs to sit still? Come explore some intersections of the Bay Area and Japan with textile designer, fiber artist and masterful teacher Wo Schiffman, founding designer of Bay Area-based Fibre Arts Design Studio. This village-style workshop transports students into the past through the art of sashiko (Japanese needle craft). Explore the origins and designs of this delightful technique and work to complete two sashiko projects using traditional tools and thread on hand-dyed and organic cotton. We will create a Japanese-inspired purse or table runner with a traditional Japanese pattern. In addition, we will design and stitch a modern version of sashiko on a contemporary material such as bamboo/cotton, organic hemp or other natural material. All supplies included. Also includes admission to the museum for non-members and time to wander through the permanent collection.  For crafters, Japanese otaku, or anyone too broke to go to Japan. Tea and Asian snacks provided. Bring a lunch or purchase one at the museum’s Café Asia. Recommended for ages 13 and up. Pre-registration required through the Serentripity website.

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.