programs

Saturday University Lecture Series

Two figures seated on stage holding microphones smile and interact with the audience.

About

Gain new insights on Asia throughout time at this lecture series featuring experts from around the world. Delve into new themes every season with a different speaker each month. Challenging, thought-provoking, and sometimes surprising, this long-running and always popular lecture series includes opportunities for audience discussion with visiting scholars, authors, artists, and thinkers.

What to know

Join us for the 2025–2026 Lecture Series, select Saturdays, September–May.

September-December, 10–11:30 am, join us for a morning lecture and coffee.

February–May, 2–3:30 pm, join us for light refreshments and an afternoon of learning.

Lectures take place in the Seattle Asian Art Museum Stimson Auditorium.
Please note, the September lecture will take place downtown at Seattle Art Museum.

Tickets include gallery access.

2025–2026 series tickets
$90 public
$60 SAM members & students

2025–2026 individual tickets
$15 public
$10 SAM members & students

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Upcoming events

Saturday University: Museums, Collections and Social Repair

Sat Sep 13 2025

10–11:30 am

Seattle Art Museum

Saturday University: Lithographic Technologies and the Rediscovery of Buddhism in Modern Afghanistan

Sat Oct 11 2025

10–11:30 am

Seattle Asian Art Museum

Saturday University: Sherman E. Lee’s Collecting and Exhibitions of Chinese Art

Sat Nov 8 2025

10–11:30 am

Seattle Asian Art Museum

Saturday University: The Temple Room and Beyond

Sat Dec 13 2025

10–11:30 am

Seattle Asian Art Museum

Saturday University: Representations of Transnational Adoptees in Contemporary Korean Dramas

Sat Feb 14 2026

2–3:30 pm

Seattle Asian Art Museum

Saturday University: Photography and the Afterlife of the War in Vietnam

Sat Mar 14 2026

2–3:30 pm

Seattle Asian Art Museum

Saturday University: Blue and Black Panthers

Sat Apr 11 2026

2–3:30 pm

Seattle Asian Art Museum

Saturday University: Why Get a Japanese Dragon Tattoo?

Sat May 9 2026

2–3:30 pm

Seattle Asian Art Museum

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Learning Resources

For more information on the history and importance of SAM's Asian Art collection through bibliographies, interviews, and lectures.

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SAM TV

Watch past Saturday University Lectures

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Get discounts on Saturday University

A SAM membership provides discounts to the series and individual lecture registration, as well as access to advance sales for this popular lecture series!

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