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Happy 54th Birthday to San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum!

With 18,000 objects and 6,000 years of history it’s the largest museum of its kind in the U.S.
By - posted 6/11/2020 No Comment

Located in the heart of the Civic Center, the museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art ranging from ancient jades and ceramics to contemporary video installations. Dynamic special exhibitions, cultural celebrations, and public programs for all ages provide rich art experiences that unlock the past and spark questions about the future.

With 18,000 objects and 6,000 years of history it’s the largest museum in the U.S. devoted exclusively to Asian art.

The Asian Art Museum was founded more than 50 years ago when collector Avery Brundage donated nearly 8,000 outstanding Asian artworks to the city of San Francisco. His goal was to create a “bridge of understanding” between the U.S. and Asia.

Although the Asian Art Museum is currently closed due to the stay-at-home order, but continues to offer online events (including Pride events “The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot” on June 18th and the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance on June 25th).

When will the museum re-open? Follow the Asian Art Museum on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to find out when the museum will be re-opening to the public and for new programs. In the meantime you can explore the museum online at Google Arts and Culture.

The Asian Art Museum originally opened as a new wing of the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park on June 11, 1966 before moving to Civic Center to its current location (the old Main Library building) in 2003.

Watch the Asian Art Museum 2018-19 Year in Review.