Gardner Center events explore the vast diversity of Asia and its presence in the world. From history and culture to global development and urban design, we exchange ideas that include dialogue on challenging contemporary issues. We also invite you to experience a range of artistic expression related to Asia.

Founded in 2009 by Mimi Gardner Gates, the Gardner Center is currently overseen by SAM’s Asian art curatorial team in collaboration with colleagues in the museum’s Education & Public Engagement department. This ongoing program shares a variety of perspectives and builds on our region’s longstanding ties with Asia.

The Gardner Center has long-term partnerships with the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington and the Elliott Bay Book Company.

Learn more about today's Asian Art Museum.

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Writers, artists, community members, non-profit leaders and others engaged with Asia share their ideas, work, and experiences. Talks are dedicated to encounters across cultures—within Asia, between Asia and the rest of the world, and within the museum.

Taking inspiration from the thematic reinstallation of the Asian art collection at the newly renovation Asian Art Museum, the Asia Talks program supports new views on the vast diversity of Asia and arts of Asia’s past and present. Think beyond current national borders as we consider places and people within Asia and its diasporas in talks ranging from authors producing great writing from and about Asia, to local women from South Asia discussing family jewelry traditions, to a daylong session on a single Asian art form.

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Delve into new themes every season with a different speaker each week. Challenging, thought-provoking, and sometimes surprising, this long-running and always popular lecture series incorporates audience discussion as experts from around the world join us to share their insights on Asia throughout time.

“
Expanded my world view tremendously.
”

–Series Subscriber

Art and Renewal in Times of Crisis in Asia

How has art and creative activity contributed to confronting crises in Asia? While we face the current pandemic, along with deep social, political, and economic challenges, perhaps we can take heart in artists’ creative responses to violent conflict, environmental change, and panic. Five talks look into understanding, recovery, and reform in Japan, China, Armenia, Bangladesh, and Java, Indonesia.

Presented with the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies and the Elliott Bay Book Company.

Image: Reduction, 2015, Takahiro Kondo, Japanese, born 1958, porcelain with blue underglaze and "silver mist" overglaze, 33 7/16 × 25 9/16 × 17 11/16 in. (85 × 65 × 45 cm), Robert M. Shields Fund for Asian Ceramics, 2019.5Provenanc, Photo: Natali Wiseman.

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From classics and documentaries to great yet lesser-known contemporary feature films, films of Asia and its diasporas are screened in the Asian Art Museum auditorium.​​​

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Contemporary, traditional, hybrid, international, and local performing artists share their talents at the Asian Art Museum.

As part of our ongoing partnership with Tasveer, we host annual spring performances of Yoni Ki Baat, with a new production of performers’ stories in this South Asian women’s version of The Vagina Monologues.

In summer, our free World Music Series takes place outdoors in Volunteer Park on Friday evenings.

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