Art Break
East Building · Asian Art Museum
All ages and skill levels welcome.Image credits: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photos by Cory Grace
National Museum of Asian Art Events
Public programs and events at the National Museum of Asian Art.
Upcoming events
Tour | Art & Architecture
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building plaza for the tour. During rainy weather, meet at the West Building information desk.Image credit: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution. Photo by Jennifer Berry.
Tours | Arts of China
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour.Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b
Meditation and Mindfulness
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections. All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Conservation Cart Talk | From Panel to Hanging Scroll
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Join Japanese painting conservators to explore the process of converting panel-mounted paintings back into hanging scrolls. Handle a former mounting panel, still layered with fabric, to better understand its structure. Then watch a live demonstration of how the first layer of backing paper is carefully applied to a painting—an essential step in creating a hanging scroll. Learn more by speaking with conservators about their ongoing treatment of paintings by Hishikawa Moroyasu and Katsushika Hokusai. On our blog, you can learn more about how we mount Japanese paintings.National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photo by Department of Conservation and Scientific Research
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Hard Boiled
West Building · Asian Art Museum
There may be no more iconic John Woo scene than the climax of Hard Boiled, which finds actor Chow Yun-fat blasting his way through legions of bad guys in a hospital while cradling a baby. Chow plays Yuen, a tough-guy, clarinet-playing cop, who burrows into Hong Kong’s underworld to avenge the death of his partner, eventually coming face to face with assassin Alan (played by Hong Kong’s other absurdly charismatic leading man, Tony Leung). But how does Yuen end up bringing a baby to a gunfight? You’ll just have to watch to find out. The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw praised the film’s “pure outrageous mayhem. . . . It is all so bizarre that you have to enjoy it.” Director: John Woo (Hong Kong). Released: 1992. Length: 128 min. Format: DCP. Language: Cantonese with English subtitles.Image courtesy of GKIDS
Curator Tour | Of the Hills
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at gallery 23 for the tour. We recommend you register in advance.Image: Attributed to an artist from the generation (ca. 1725–ca. 1785) after Nainsukh and Manaku; Krishna and His Family Admire a Solar Eclipse, from a Bhagavata Purana (Ancient Tales of the Lord), canto 10.82; India, Himachal Pradesh state, Kangra, 1775–80; opaque watercolor on paper; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase from the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F2017.13.5
Tours | Arts of China
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour.Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tour | Art & Architecture
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building plaza for the tour. During rainy weather, meet at the West Building information desk.Image credit: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution
Tours | Arts of Japan
West Building · Asian Art Museum
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more.Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Bullet in the Head
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Part crime film, part war movie, and part melodrama, Bullet in the Head is John Woo’s most ambitious opera of violence. It begins in 1967, when longtime pals Ben (Tony Leung), Frank (Jacky Cheung), and Paul (Waise Lee) accidentally kill a rival gangster. They decide to flee to Vietnam to get rich on the wartime black market but find themselves fully engulfed in the conflict. Their schemes to smuggle gold and run guns fall apart, straining their friendship and leaving them all emotionally and physically scarred. The wartime setting gives Woo license to unleash some of his (literally) most explosive action sequences. The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw calls it the “action master’s deliriously violent . . . spectacular vision of greed and moral collapse. . . . It offers something other than the usual Hollywood perspective; it is a parable of greed comparable to The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.“ Director: John Woo (Hong Kong). Released: 1990. Length: 136 min. Format: DCP. Language: English, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and French with English subtitles.Image courtesy of GKIDS
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts of China
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour.Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Tours | Arts of Japan
West Building · Asian Art Museum
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more.Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30
Meditation and Mindfulness
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections. All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Curator Tour | A Museum in the Making
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at gallery 8 for the tour. We recommend you register in advance.Image: Dwight William Tryon (1849–1925); Winter; United States, 1893; oil on canvas; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1893.17a-b
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Tours | Arts of Japan
West Building · Asian Art Museum
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more.Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
ChaO
West Building · Asian Art Museum
In this animated sci-fi fantasy, humans and mermaids share a troubled coexistence. Stephan, an anxious employee at a shipbuilding company, has big ideas to save the sea. But his life explodes into ecstatic chaos when bubbly mermaid princess Chao proposes marriage out of the blue. Between shopping sprees, giant robots, and actual fireworks, the unlikely pair flounder through their new romance and unlock their true feelings. Crafted over 7 years by the acclaimed STUDIO4°C and veteran animator Yasuhiro Aoki, ChaO is an inventive and genre-defying delight bursting with color and character. Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, ChaO’s singular narrative is an ode to boundless love. Description courtesy of GKIDS. Director: Yasuhiro Aoki. Country: Japan. Released: 2025. Length: 90 min. Format: DCP. Language: Japanese with English subtitles.Image courtesy of GKIDS
Art Break
East Building · Asian Art Museum
All ages and skill levels welcome.Image credits: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photos by Cory Grace
Tour | Art & Architecture
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building plaza for the tour. During rainy weather, meet at the West Building information desk.Image credit: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution. Photo by Jennifer Berry.
Tours | Arts of China
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour.Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b
Meditation and Mindfulness
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections. All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Highlights Tour in Mandarin 館藏精華導覽
West Building · Asian Art Museum
國立亞洲藝術博物館邀請您參加免費普通話導覽（無需預約） 在一小時的導覽中，我們的講解員將帶您聚焦博物館中的精華，包括舉世聞名的孔雀廳和精選的中國藝術品。每場導覽都是獨一無二的，讓您每次對藝術品都能有不同的了解。Image credit: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1915.103a-b
Tours | Arts of China
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour.Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Sketch & Discover Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Join docent Sushmita Mazumdar every first Sunday of the month as she guides you to use pencil and paper to consider the unique ideas and expressions of Asian artists from various traditions spanning the continent across centuries. All materials will be provided. No reservation needed.
Tours | Arts of Japan
West Building · Asian Art Museum
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more.Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
A Better Tomorrow II
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The unexpected popularity of Chow Yun-fat’s performance in A Better Tomorrow led John Woo to cast him in the sequel as Ken, the twin brother of his character in the first film. Ken runs a Chinese restaurant in New York, but the fallout from his brother’s criminal escapades eventually reaches him. It takes the form of counterfeiter Lung, who flees to New York after being framed for murder. Ken nurses him to health after what may be the most bananas psychotic break in the history of cinema. After reuniting with two more characters from the first film, they battle the bad guys who have discovered Lung’s whereabouts. Director: John Woo (Hong Kong). Released: 1987. Length: 105 min. Format: DCP. Language: English and Cantonese with English subtitles.Image courtesy of GKIDS
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts of China
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour.Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Tours | Arts of Japan
West Building · Asian Art Museum
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more.Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30
Meditation and Mindfulness
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections. All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Virtual Tour | Summer Scenes in the Arts of Asia
Beat the heat while appreciating the beauty of summer with a virtual tour! This tour explores artworks that highlight the hottest season's landscapes, summer activities, and warm-weather plants and animals. Featured artworks range from paintings and prints to ceramics and metalwork.Image: Au Ho-nien; Kingfisher and Late Summer Lotus (detail); China, Modern period; ink and color on paper; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Gift from the Estate of Anna C. Chennault, S2019.5.3
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Curator Tour | Chinese Arts of the Ming and Qing Dynasties
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at gallery 13 for the tour. We recommend you register in advance.Image: Attributed to Cheng Qi (傳)程棨 (act. mid- to late 13th century); Silk Weaving after Lou Shou 摹樓璹〈蠶織圖; China, mid- to late 13th century; ink and color on paper; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1954.20
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tour | The Peacock Room at 150
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Learn how a dining room built in London 150 years ago has become one of the most famous artworks in the United States today. This free guided tour closely examines American artist James McNeill Whistler’s famed Peacock Room, inspired by Asian art and decorated with Chinese blue and white porcelain.James McNeill Whistler (American, 1834–1903); Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (detail); United Kingdom, 1876–77; room installation, oil paint and gold leaf on canvas, leather, mosaic tile, glass, and wood; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.61
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Tours | Arts of Japan
West Building · Asian Art Museum
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more.Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Art Break
East Building · Asian Art Museum
All ages and skill levels welcome.Image credits: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Photos by Cory Grace
Tours | Arts of China
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour.Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b
Meditation and Mindfulness
Join a free online guided meditation. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections. All are welcome! No previous experience is required. Image: Katsushika Hokusai / National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1904.269.
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Hands-On Conservation
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Explore conservation for yourself at our pop-up cart! Touch and see the tools and materials we use to preserve art, manuscripts, and other historic objects. Check out fluorescent glue samples, paper and brushes used for scroll mounting, and more. This is your chance to get a peek at what our conservators and scientists are up to behind the scenes.Department of Conservation and Scientific Research, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
AlUla and the Incense Road: An Ancient World in Dialogue
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Discover how AlUla sat at the heart of a vast network of cultural exchange, where people, objects, artistic traditions, and ideas traveled across continents. Drawing on archaeological discoveries and historical references, this lecture invites audiences to explore a past that is still being uncovered and the global connections that shaped the ancient world. The stories shared here will be the core narratives of AlUla’s future Museum of the Incense Road.Image: UNESCO/Nick Jackson
Once Upon an Incense Road
East Building
About the Rawis The term “Rawi“ comes from the Arabic word for “storyteller.“ Rawis bring the AlUla region and its heritage to life through knowledge, interpretation, and human connection. This group is made up of Saudi men and women, the majority of whom are from the local AlUla community. Rawis work alongside archaeologists, historians, researchers, and heritage specialists to develop a deep understanding of AlUla’s archaeology, history, landscapes, and living culture. This work includes collaborating with UNESCO on pioneering ways to engage the public through the Live Museum model. The Rawis’ work has been celebrated internationally. They presented their photography exhibition, I Am a Rawi: Sharing Stories of AlUla, on the perimeter fences of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The show recognized the role of Rawis in connecting people with AlUla’s heritage and fostering intercultural understanding.Credit: UNESCO/Nick Jackson
Tours | Arts of China
West Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the West Building Information Desk for the tour.Dish with foliate flaring rim; Ming dynasty, Xuande reign, 1426–35; Jingdezhen ware; porcelain with cobalt pigment under colorless glaze; H x Diam: 4.8 × 21.3 cm; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1951.13a-b
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Qissa bi Qissa (Swap a Story)
East Building · Asian Art Museum
About the Rawis The term “Rawi“ comes from the Arabic word for “storyteller.“ Rawis bring the AlUla region and its heritage to life through knowledge, interpretation, and human connection. This group is made up of Saudi men and women, the majority of whom are from the local AlUla community. Rawis work alongside archaeologists, historians, researchers, and heritage specialists to develop a deep understanding of AlUla’s archaeology, history, landscapes, and living culture. This work includes collaborating with UNESCO on pioneering ways to engage the public through the Live Museum model. The Rawis’ work has been celebrated internationally. They presented their photography exhibition, I Am a Rawi: Sharing Stories of AlUla, on the perimeter fences of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The show recognized the role of Rawis in connecting people with AlUla’s heritage and fostering intercultural understanding.Credit: UNESCO/Nick Jackson
Tours | Arts Across Asia
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Please meet at the East Building, B1 Lobby for the tour.Image: Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Arthur M. Sackler Collection, The Alice S. Kandell Collection, Photo by John Bigelow Taylor
Spotlight Talk: Vishnu's Cosmic Ocean
East Building · Asian Art Museum
Catch a twenty-minute gallery talk about the largest bronze ever cast in Southeast Asia in Vishnu’s Cosmic Ocean. At nearly twenty feet, this newly conserved sculpture depicts Vishnu dreaming the universe into existence. Delve into its original context in ancient Angkor and the present-day Cambodian community.Composite image: (top) Vishnu Reclining on the Serpent Ananta (Endless One); Cambodia, Siem Reap province, second half of 11th century; bronze, mercury gilding; National Museum of Cambodia, Phnom Penh; Photograph by Mario Ciampi, ©️ Guicciardini & Magni Architetti / (bottom) Still from the short film Awkun; National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Film by praCh Ly
Qissa bi Qissa (Swap a Story)
East Building · Asian Art Museum
About the Rawis The term “Rawi“ comes from the Arabic word for “storyteller.“ Rawis bring the AlUla region and its heritage to life through knowledge, interpretation, and human connection. This group is made up of Saudi men and women, the majority of whom are from the local AlUla community. Rawis work alongside archaeologists, historians, researchers, and heritage specialists to develop a deep understanding of AlUla’s archaeology, history, landscapes, and living culture. This work includes collaborating with UNESCO on pioneering ways to engage the public through the Live Museum model. The Rawis’ work has been celebrated internationally. They presented their photography exhibition, I Am a Rawi: Sharing Stories of AlUla, on the perimeter fences of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. The show recognized the role of Rawis in connecting people with AlUla’s heritage and fostering intercultural understanding.Credit: UNESCO/Nick Jackson
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.
Tours | Arts of Japan
West Building · Asian Art Museum
As the seasons change, enjoy a free, hour-long guided tour of the museum’s renowned collection of Japanese art. Experience a variety of artworks, including paintings, prints, screens, ceramics, metalwork, and more.Trees, Master of I-nen Seal (1600–1630), Japan, mid-17th century, ink, color, and gold on paper, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1962.30
Permanent Collection Tour
West Building · Asian Art Museum
The National Museum of Asian Art has over 46,000 artworks from across Asia. Enjoy some of the finest on a docent-led tour and learn about commonalities and differences in cultures, aesthetics, and ideas.