The Asia Art Archive in America (AAA-A) is among a growing number of independent archives whose work are having a transformative impact on the canon of art history and contemporary art. Founded in 2009 by Jane DeBevoise as the U.S. counterpart to the Asia Art Archive in Hong Kong, AAA-A plays a vital role in preserving and sharing the rich artistic heritage of Asian and Asian American communities.

AAA-A’s mission is to collect, preserve, and make accessible information on contemporary art from and of Asia, facilitating both public understanding and specialized research. The organization operates a public reading room in Brooklyn, New York, offering free access to more than 5,000 films, books, exhibition catalogues, periodicals, and primary source materials. Through frequent events and public programs, AAA-A provides a dynamic platform for artists, authors, filmmakers, and historians to share their work and ideas.

In 2023, Vilcek Foundation Board Member Jung Lee Sanders introduced the foundation to the archive, recognizing the strong alignment between the missions of both organizations. Sanders, born in South Korea and a champion of Asian and Asian American artists through her gallery Art Projects International, saw a unique opportunity to further support the visibility and impact of Asian art in America.

In 2024, the Vilcek Foundation awarded a grant to the Asia Art Archive in America in support of its operations and programs, including the onboarding of a new Program Manager and Collection Coordinator to strengthen the organization’s capacity. The grant also enabled AAA-A to deliver a robust slate of programs in 2024, including:

The 6th Annual Leadership Camp

This flagship program brings together a cohort of Asian and AAPI-identified artists, scholars, and curators for workshops and discussions on culturally relevant themes in arts and in the arts profession. The 2024 camp, led by filmmaker Daniel Chew and curator Simon Wu, explored the theme “Vaguely Asian,” culminating in a collaborative zine project designed by cohort members and distributed at a public event in May 2025. 

Ghost Stories: Highlights from Asia Art Archive in America

Curated by Claire Kim and Tie Jojima with Ying Chiun Li, Ghost Stories: Highlights from Asia Art Archive in America is a collaborative exhibition developed in partnership with the Americas Society. The exhibition explored the histories and legacies of the Asian diaspora in the Americas. Drawing inspiration from Singaporean-born artist Lee Wen’s 1997 performance in Mexico City, the exhibition showcased books, catalogues, artworks, and archival materials.

Public Events and Programs

Throughout the year, AAA-A hosted a diverse range of talks, film screenings, and community events featuring artists, authors, and curators, from graphic novelist Bishakh Som to curators Nadia Hironaka, Ann Adachi-Tasch, Iris Moon, Lesley Ma, and Brinda Kumar, to ceramicist Heidi Lau and multimedia artist Jen Liu.