Asian Art Museum in San Francisco

Definitely worth the membership with the frequently changing exhibits and permanent displays as well. Easy to reach via public transportation. Free coat check. Gift shop is well curated as well. Appreciate gender neutral bathrooms too.

Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art. The museums collection spans over 6,000 years and includes more than 18,000 objects from different regions of Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas. The collection includes a wide range of mediums, such as paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and decorative arts.The museum offers a variety of exhibitions and programs throughout the year, including special exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and performances. It also has a research library and a bookstore specializing in Asian art and culture.The objects in the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco are arranged based on various themes, regions, and time periods. The museum has a comprehensive collection that spans over 6,000 years of Asian art history, so the arrangement of objects allows visitors to explore different aspects of Asian art.The museums permanent collection is organized into galleries that focus on specific regions or themes. For example, there are galleries dedicated to Chinese art, Japanese art, Korean art, Indian art, Southeast Asian art, and Himalayan art. Within these galleries, the objects are further organized by time period, artistic style, or chronological order, allowing visitors to see the development of artistic styles and techniques over time.They may also be grouped thematically, highlighting common motifs or cultural traditions for example there was an exhibition with the theme of dance that explored the cultural significance of dance in art and its symbolic meaningsIn addition to the permanent collection, the museum also hosts special exhibitions that feature specific artists, periods, or themes. These exhibitions may have their own unique arrangement and display design, depending on the curatorial vision.

Attended on one of their free days. They have an extensive and amazing collection...I spent approximately 3 hours here checking out everything! The art was well laid out and the self walking tour was easy. Such a great experience for my first visit!!

I went to this museum to see Murakamis exhibition a few weeks ago and I liked this space!! Its well-organized and all the rooms were connected in a way that was easy to remember, so you couldnt get lost. I will come back to see their other exhibitions in the future 😁😁

Came here in Dec 2023 to see Takashi Murakami’s Monsterized humans exhibit and listen to Life in a Zen Temple: Lecture, Zazen, and Tea with Abbot Kobori Geppo, Saturday. What a great experience. Highly recommended if you see this review and the museum is still showing them you should visit. Wont disappoint for sure.

Came here during free first Sunday. The museum focuses on Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Korean art. A bit disappointing since the Asian continent is large and diverse beyond these four. However, the collection the museum does have is large, beautiful and well organized. I recommend starting from the top floor, slowly making your way down and finishing at the nice gift shop. It is worth the visit and admission is free on the first Sunday of the month.

Discovering the Asian Museum was a delightful journey into the heart of Asian artistry. The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the artwork from unique perspectives. The displays are carefully arranged, allowing for a truly immersive encounter with the rich tapestry of Asian culture.What struck me immediately was the thoughtful use of lighting, casting a play of colors and shadows that added depth and further enhanced the overall ambiance. Its evident that the museums team has put meticulous effort into creating an atmosphere that complements the art and fosters a sense of appreciation.For those who havent visited yet, I strongly encourage you to take the time to explore the Asian Museum. Its not just a collection of artifacts; its a journey through Asian arteries, providing a glimpse into the intricate and captivating world of Asian art. Youre sure to leave amazed, having gained a newfound understanding and appreciation for the beauty encapsulated within these exhibits. Dont miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this cultural treasure trove—its an experience that seamlessly blends education and fascination.

Went to the Asian Art Museum right after landing from SFO! It was perfect because it was a straight shot from the BART (exit on Civic Center then about a 4 minute walk). They let us keep our luggage in their coat concierge as it was too early for us to check into our hotel. The Murakami exhibit was so special and then we got to see the rest of the museum with that admission ticket.Overall such a sweet experience!

Went for the Murakami exhibit, overall great experience. You can easily spend an hour just on this exhibit alone. There’s an additional fee to gain access to the Murakami section but there’s a discount if you can go on the first Sunday of the month.

We went to see the Takashi Murakami exhibit currently on display.The museum was clean, well organized, staff was informative and the vibe was cool. There were helpful signs everywhere.We ended up getting an annual membership (Thanks CeCe) and used the price of our tickets towards a membership, which was awesome as the museum is a great place.We also went to the Cafe and got boba drinks, which werent bad at all.