Asia Society Texas Center

My favorite part about traveling is visiting a museum/cultural/historical site and since I was in town around the same time as the Xu Bing’s exhibition I decided to spend part of my day here and had such a wonderful time! I am very fascinated by the mind of an artist and how they come up with concepts and bring ideas to life and this exhibition was particularly meaningful because it explored some of my favorite art forms and how they intersect. Outside of the exhibition, I also enjoyed the calligraphy station. Overall, I loved how interactive some of the stations are, and think it’s appropriate for all ages.

Gorgeous architecture and nice museum. I loved the lookout on the second floor of the water/mist going out. It is not too large of a museum but I liked the exhibits and they were really interactive. There’s a parking lot right across the street $7 for general or $5 for members. There is a café inside, which was pretty cute, though a little small and on the ground level. I like the interactive booth where you can learn a few words from various Asian languages, which was fun.

Update review: 728/2025 The Asia Society is a hidden gem in the heart of Houston that beautifully bridges Eastern and Western cultures through its thoughtfully curated exhibitions. From the moment you walk in, Kin Cafe brings the peaceful and mindfulness before and after your visit. All positive energy from the receptionist and other patrons. I encourage all visitors to take their time in embracing the art and cultures from all the different countries. Please share your thoughts with friends, family, and colleagues. ---- Old review: The Asia Society in Houston is a truly exceptional cultural institution that offers visitors an immersive and enriching experience. From the moment you enter, the museum’s architecture and thoughtfully designed galleries create an atmosphere that is both serene and inspiring. It’s a place where ancient traditions meet modern presentation, making it accessible and engaging for all ages. The museum’s collection is impressively vast, featuring over 18,000 objects spanning more than 6,000 years of Asian history. From delicate Japanese ceramics and Chinese calligraphy to intricate South Asian sculptures and contemporary Asian art, each exhibit is meticulously curated. The richness and diversity of the art on display highlight the unique histories and cultures of Asia, providing a well-rounded and deeply educational experience. What stands out the most is the museum’s commitment to storytelling. Every gallery is arranged in a way that not only showcases the art but also contextualizes it with clear, informative signage and interactive elements. The narratives help visitors understand the cultural and historical significance of the works, making the experience much more meaningful. Come and enjoy your stay and remember to check out Kin's Cafe.

Great facility, relaxing, and very tranquil atmosphere must come inside to get a feel Thursday night is free for entry. They have a lot of different activities and events to go to bring awareness of Asian culture and fulfilling their mission as an organization.

It’s smaller than I expected, but there is nice rooms and some Asian culture. It doesn’t really go in depth of Asian history. There is also a cafe but it closes early.

Asia Society Texas Center undoubtedly stands out as the premier educational museum and cultural center in Houston. Their unwavering dedication to promoting and encouraging Asian culture through various mediums such as artist exhibitions, concerts, and opera collaborations makes it an invaluable asset. Attending the Chinese Lunar New Year event at Asia Society has become a tradition for me, and each year surpasses the previous one. The level of dedication and effort they put into this celebration is truly astounding. The Dragon Dance, in particular, captivates everyone, from kids to adults, making it both entertaining and educational. The event provides a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about their own culture through art, Asian cuisine, and engaging activities. The display of children's artwork is a testament to the talent and creativity of the younger generation. Witnessing their creations adds an extra layer of joy and appreciation for the educational aspect of Asia Society's events. Furthermore, the Tiger Ball and other events hosted by Asia Society are exemplary, showcasing the center's commitment to creating diverse and meaningful experiences. Asia Society Texas Center has consistently proven itself to be a top-tier venue for any event dedicated to Asian culture. I highly recommend it and will continue to refer friends to join me at their various enriching events.

Last week I visited with a couple of friends. We grabbed a bite to eat inside and then began to work our way through the entire experience. It's a very nice and well thought out building. You gain a little insight to each of the different Asian cultures with the interactive displays. There was also a phenomenal exhibit at the time we visited. At the time of this review, Thursday's are free entry. Definitely worth a visit and I plan to go back again.

One of my favorite museum in Houston, I love how beautiful the build is inside and out. You can come here for free on Thursday. There are street parking or you can park in they parking lot. They do have an elevator if you have mobility issues but the gallery and the meeting room is all on the second floor, they have a theater down stairs and a cafe on the first floor. I love to come here on Thursday and they have special event on big holidays.

This place needs to be talked about way more! Located on the outer edge of the museum district, there is plenty of street and paid parking around. The building is beautifully designed with large concrete blocks and floor to ceiling windows. The exhibits on the first floor are interactive and teach you a bit more about various Asian cultures. The truly interesting exhibit is on the second floor. Currently, it is Space City themed, with various works of art expressing different aspects of space and space exploration. The variety of works was astounding, and there is sure to be something to interest everyone. I recommend reading the placards explaining the art pieces. I came on a Thursday evening, which is their FREE day!!! They also host different events here throughout the year, so check their website for more info. This museum is a must see in Houston.

Asia Society is such a gem in Houston. The building is stunning, and I enjoyed exploring what the interactive exhibits had to offer for learning about Asia. The front desk is so friendly and is knowledgeable about Asia Society. They have a current exhibit, Space City: Art in the Age of Artemis. It is well worth a visit. And FYI: admission is free on Thursdays!

New exhibit was a lot of fun. So many interactive elements and the rooftop seating area brought it all together. Java Lava inside and good trucks outside were great! Learn about several different countries and what makes each unique.

I decided to visit the center's new "Explore Asia" permanent exhibition and overall am very pleased. Architecturally, the building itself is gorgeous. A very beautiful design that looked like it was well thought out. I learned some new things about my own culture and it felt really cool to be represented in something similar to a museum lol. I say similar because if you're looking for full-fledged historical art pieces showcased in gold frames and embellished with jade, you're going to be disappointed. This is more so like a landmark building to showcase Asian pride and uniqueness, so yay for that! I enjoyed the food exploration touchscreen game since it introduced me to a couple of new Asian restaurants in Houston that I now have bookmarked on my Yelp profile to try out. The rooftop pond on the second floor was very relaxing and I can imagine it being a nice place to release stress during less busy days. There was a long wait for the free virtual bullet train ride, but honestly the experience was underwhelming. Probably more engaging for children, since it's essentially like watching National Geographic on multiple monitors in a dark room with multiple people. My favorite feature is probably the colorful neon wall you see when walking near the time zone discovery area. Super instagram worthy lol. All in all, a nice place to visit occasionally for special events. (Or often since they have language classes too!) I only regret not going earlier because the lion dancers gave out cute bunny plushies that day and I completely missed that.

Asia Society is a great facility The dance program was mostly good The theater is excellent The exhibitions are also very good

I've been to a couple events here. Tickets are often free. I've uploaded photos of parking in case you don't want to pay to park in their lot (I do recommend parking in their lot if they're busy). Green is free. Blue is metered. When the event isn't too crowded it's nicer. Yokai wasn't too bad and we had a good time. Food sold on premise.

a beautifully designed center for Asian culture and art in Houston Midtown. I love the events they showcase and the Asian Night Market they host annually. They make sure to showcase art from all areas of Asia, including South, Southeast, and East Asia to highlight the diversity within Asia itself. Furthermore, their exhibit in the gallery rotates and showcases new, fascinating art. I would recommend this place as a museum stop for sure for any age. They also have a new interactive exhibit titled Explore Asia that, well, allows you to explore Asia through touchscreen displays. The museum is gorgeous and well thought out. Their parking lot is paid but street parking is free. Also a fantastic place to volunteer.

Was able to attend the Chinese New Year celebration. Lots to do for free. There are ticket purchase performances. There were musicians that accompanied the lion dances. So beautiful. So festive. Lots of fun. Great dancers and musicians. Several tables for vendors. Sold artwork, jewelry, etc. Activities for the kids, plus take home your creation. Lanterns. Papers with Chinese writing. Learn how to write Chinese words. There was a table with Chinese musical instruments. The musicians demonstrated, played songs. Fellow patrons very pleasant. Lots pf visitors bit it wasnt miserable. Somehow well managed but i did go early. Experience very pleasant. Restaurants set up, popped up. Thai, Chinese, a bento box food vendor, mochi vendor, Lots of tables to sit n eat, snack, stay long and visit. There was also a patio to enjoy, go outside to eat. Highly recommend, staff excellent.

Bought tickets on a whim to watch a screening of Everything Everywhere All at Once and dove into a memorable evening hosted by one of Houston's premier cultural centers. I will definitely be back to view exhibits and partake in more the creative works they curate.

@AsiaSocietyTX It's my pleasure to be your member since #AsiaFestTX 2 years ago. I absolutely love the annual events and occasional film screenings, special guest speakers and live performances at Asia Society Texas Center. Being a diversity and inclusion group leader at work, I shared events happen here and brought my coworkers to attend. Asia Society Texas Center often brings awesome presentations and exhibitors to Houston. I love my member-only admission and deeply discounted, sometimes it's free. My favorite annual festival is Asia Fest to celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month in May. There were first class performances at both theater stage and out on the grassy area. It also has a huge lineup of Asian fusion food trucks and community vendors outdoors. Cultural and educational activities for the entire family on the 2nd floor. I recently attended the first day of Mandala Sand Painting presented by Tibetan Buddhist monks from Drepung Loseling Monastery. Venue is different everyday. The best part of this 4-day show was being part of this living art. I enjoy watching the monks concentrating on the painting and talking to them to understand the cultural. Since I missed the Sacred Music Sacred Dance for World Healing on day 4, I bought a Mystical Arts of Tibet music CD. The chant has a powerful reciting tone that helps me to relax and relief from tinnitus.

It was the bamboo basket exhibit that brought us in but the architecture of the building itself that left the biggest mark on my memory. This museum is a gorgeous piece of architecture both inside and out. The sleek exterior design blends beautifully as you walk inside to find a reflection pool on the second floor that is reminiscent of a Japanese onsen (thermal bath). The steam rolling off the pool made it an art piece in and of itself. Note that the building is handicap friendly and they have wheelchairs on-site, if needed. The temporary bamboo basket collection feature a video showcasing the trade along with multiple rooms filled with intricate pieces ranging from furniture to large wall installations. All in all, you'll need an hour (give or take) to visit the exhibit. It was very peaceful and leaves you wanting to pick up the hobby of basket weaving in hopes that you'll be even a fraction as good as the bamboo basket masters.

I never knew this museum existed, but it's been open to the public since April 2012. I was here for Asia Fest 2017 cause my friend went last year, and the food truck (The Grove Donutz) we've been wanting to try would be there among others. The museum boasts modern architecture with sleek lines and has three levels. The main level has a cafe, lower level an auditorium with a stage and video screen for performances held throughout the year, and the top floor has an infinity pool with floating lotus and exhibit halls displaying Asian art. The art on display till July is bamboo from Japan. It's amazing to see what can be created from the 1400 different species of bamboo. There's even a short film on the thought process and craftsmanship of an artist. The museum is so beautiful that it can be rented for many venues, such as a wedding. You can purchase an annual membership. There are classes for yoga, tai chi, and learning Chinese. Asia Fest was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed seeing the various cultural dances and learning about Asian art history. It's also a fun festival for families cause the kids get to make origami, paper dragon boats, play giant sodoku, and learn the cultural dances performed like tinikling (Filipino bamboo dance). I'd come back to the fest next year and see what other exhibits/classes they offer.

I too came here for the Mandala's closing ceremony and while they need to work on their crowd control and general experience of the event, it was quite interesting and special. The building is beautiful and there is plenty of street parking if you don't want to pay for the lot but as I was walking around after the Mandala, I couldn't really see any other exhibitions going on. This really is one of those places that you have to do some research before visiting to see what's on display. Back to the Mandala, for the life of me, I don't understand why they put it in the small dimly lit room when the other much bigger room with huge floor to ceiling windows was available. They had several spot lights (par36 bulbs I believe) shining directly on the mandala, but then this did a disservice to the rest of the event and caused issues with photography since the mandala was 2-3 stops brighter than the surrounding area. It was also so crowded that only the people in the first 2 rows (first row had seats, everybody else stood) had a view of it while everybody was sweating next to each other elbow to elbow and asking people to duck. Everybody behaved except for one little kid who would push his way around with the parents thinking it was cute, but I still think they need to use the other room or perhaps an even bigger room. I'll keep my eye out for future events here.

I thought I had visited all of the museums in this area but it wasn't until recently that I realized I missed one of the most beautiful buildings. It's a smaller museum with only a small handful of artifacts but the architecture of the space is what makes up for the lack of items inside. Everything about it is planned and executed immaculately. The grass and stones that encompass the outside grounds to the doors and glass that make up the infrastructure. But the most glamourous spot is the infinity pool area up at the top with smoke coming off of it. A real engineering marvel. The art inside is simply displayed. At the time of my visit the info cards were not yet finished and a handout was given. Also, they have a very state of the art theater downstairs, with a decent sized stage and luxury seats.

The Asia Society Texas Center is well worth a visit. The building was designed by a famous Japanese architect and is known for the water roof. The exhibits are every changing and different from the art you'd see in other museums. The gallery isn't too big, so it's easy to walk through. There's a good amount of street parking, but it's $5 to park in their lot. The admission fee isn't too much, but I usually go on free days. The events are awesome, they have great speakers and programs. I went to Kevin Kwan's book signing for "China Rich Girlfriend" a couple years ago. This past weekend, i went for their Japanese Sports Day. It was so much fun. I like how they have simple interactive stuff that kids and adults can participate in during their events, whether it be origami, writing their name in Chinese, etc. During a new exhibit reception, you might get free drinks and light bites. During their Night Market event, they have food trucks parked outside and vendors. You can eat at a picnic table under patio lighting. Pondi Cafe is also inside the museum. Overall, I really enjoy having this museum in this city. It's the 2nd Asia Society museum in the U.S.

This place is so worth a visit. Get your Asian culture on! Learn a little!! Located in Houston's iconic museum district. I came here for the Moon Festival. Lots of FREE children's activities. Lantern making, faux moon cake making, dancers free boba tea from Kung Fu Tea and free moon cakes! The volunteers were so kinda to all the attendees. Alongside the celebration there were several exhibits you could enjoy. A Korean 3D photography exhibit and a Japanese photography exhibit. The exhibits cycle so check what they are showing. The grounds and building are both beautiful! Memberships are available. However for a minimal fee you can browse exhibits.

I love that this museum hosts numerous Asian events throughout the year so that Houstonians can experinence and learn about different Asian cultures. The have a night market, Asian festival, and more. The space itself is big and open. The main hall would be a great venue for a big event.

I went to the Asia Society Texas Center with my middle school in early April. The exhibits themselves were wonderful (hence the reason this is not a one-star review), however the docent giving the tour was insensitive to some of the struggles that immigrants face, and made a few stereotypical comments. In addition, the docent forced her opinions of the art on us, leaving very little room for our own interpretation.

Finally, a museum catering to the multiple countries, cultures, religions and artists emerging out of the Asian continent. Aside from the contemporary and serene architecture, which any of the helpful doscents would happy to walk to through, the museum caters to your inner artist, historian, anthropologist and politician. This museums offers workshops, exhibitions and lectures for any age group that are worth attending. Asia Society has the friendliest museum staff in the history of museum staff, trust me, I've had my fair share of pretentious curators and employees only interested in catering to donors rather than actually talking or getting to know their visitors. I decided to become a member when I learned that I would get discounted tickets, free entry to any exhibitions, and perks on events & such. It's been a couple of months and I've already had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of programs that fit my schedule and those that unveiled me to multiple ideas and experiences I wouldn't have been exposed to at any other museum. Their specifically targeting events and open dialogue allow the visitor to be both comfortable and evoked at every visit. I highly recommend you visit this museum, check out their architecture tour, and grab a bite at their cafe that features a variety of Asian delicacies.

Very cool venue and amazing architecture. They rent out the space for private parties so it's a good location with a parking lot out front. There's also a huge auditorium and a sitting area to relax and look out to the misting infinity pool or the rock! The exhibits are sparse and they rotate through so it'll be a quick visit unless there's a speaker scheduled or an event.

*This is an exhibit hall, not a museum, so check the website for the events before coming! That being said, I came here for the Tibetan mandala live demonstration and I was impressive by this clear-cut beautiful building! On the second floor is a nice lounge with sofas and tables with a stellar view, so it's a great place to work or study if you live nearby. The well-maintained spaces are perfect for art display, but unfortunately, the rooms are not designed to handle large crowds. That means that if you want to see artworks in peace at your pace, you may want to avoid the exhibit's special events like opening and closing ceremonies. If you do want to attend a potentially popular event, come early if you don't want to get squeezed out of the door. The lot across the building is paid parking, but there are plenty of free street parking around. Asia Society is also close to the metro stop so this place is easy to reach either way. Definitely recommend coming to one of the world-class exhibits that this center occasionally holds! --- tl;dr version: 1) Stellar art exhibit space with great working lounge 2) Avoid or come early to special events to beat the crowd 3) Free street parking available

I love the new building. The new space is clean lines, cool water features, and lots of space. I heard about this organization through Instagram of all things! I read about their current exhibit and had to join. They have different membership plans to suit each person including student and educator discounted rates. I joined before ever stepping foot in the building and after having visited, I'm glad to support them. I think of this building as a beautiful space for visiting exhibits and educational lectures, but it has its own personality and beauty beside those exhibits that are here briefly. The building has a walkway up to it that enters a very minimalist door. There is a large flat rood that is actually a water feature that creates fog occasionally. We were lucky enough to drive up and get out as the whole roof was enveloped in this fog; it was beautiful. I don't know how often it happens, but it's a lovely touch. The entrance is a little confusing. As you enter, you aren't totally sure where you should go. There are some very large open spaces on both floors that I assume will be used for different exhibits. The first floor current has a multimedia exhibit about being of mixed Asian decent. I am half Japanese and the exhibit was very interesting to me but also to my white husband. There are photos, videos, and notes written about "what are you?". I read that it was interactive and I saw photos of people with handwritten notes but I didn't see any way I could interact and leave my photo and note. On a lower level is the entrance to the lecture hall and on the upper level is a lot of open space as well as an exhibit hall that is large but easy to miss. When you head upstairs, there is a lovely view of a rock garden as well as the water feature on the flat roof. There is a large well lit exhibit hall that currently has a variety of different traveling pieces from the Smithsonian. Some of the art is really weird (like videos of a lady eat cherry tomatoes with a stick or drinking orange juice from a glass with a whole in the side). Some of the art is really cool (huge pencil drawings on long flowing and braided hair). I found that some of the art just seemed weird to me, but if I kept moving I found something that appealed to me. As someone who has always been interested in the Asian side of my family, I'll be keeping my eyes on this place and their rotating exhibits. Parking is easy. There is street parking as well as a surface lot across the street.

quite frankly, the outside of the building is more interesting than what is inside, but i enjoyed both. haha the outside of the building truly is amazing. whomever designed it did a phenomenal job. once a year they have "asia fest" where they set up tables and booths and you can buy food and other nic-nacky things

At first I was confused as to what this place is. An event space? A museum? I think it's a little of both. They have two art galleries - one upstairs and one downstairs. But they do host events here. Admission to both galleries was free for us, although the website says you have to pay for one of the galleries. I've been visiting lesser known art museums in Houston recently. This has hands down been my favorite so far. The Japanese photography exhibit they have upstairs currently (Dec 2016) was beautiful and meaningful shedding light on the historic events of Japan's recent past. The atmosphere here is very clean, peaceful, and serene. There is a parking lot that costs $5, but most people park on the streets nearby.

I wouldn't really call this a museum. It's more of a building designed to house special events, lectures, social events, etc. today when I visited they were 'in between' displays upstairs so there was really nothing to see. The first floor had a few pictures of life in Asia along with a cafe. The building's architecture is interesting and unique. Admission is free but I don't see this as being a tourist attraction unless you come here for some other event.

So until yesterday I had no idea what this place is or does. Thanks to David N for the Spotlight Asia tickets, I got to find out. This place is basically a neat little cultural museum. There appeared to be a theater, but I didn't get to check it out. The exhibits were pretty neat, but what was really awed me was the building itself. Rather than rehash what everyone else is saying, just read Melissa M. or David N.'s reviews about the building, it's pretty spot on.

One of the most chic, elegant, and intriguing museums in Houston. It may not be as "capacious" or "grand" as the Museum of Fine Arts or even the Museum of Natural Sciences; however, it is a building you must visit if you are in the area. They exhibit unique art that I find a bit non-orthodox, but I find it to actually be a PLUS! They currently have a HAPA(Half Asian) Exhibition, which will be up until April 2014! Their events also seem to be extraordinarily awesome! The Spotlight Asian "Cocktails and Fusions" event was absolutely one of the best events I've attended in Houston. The sushi was fresh, abundant and colorful! The night was filled with laughter, friendly individuals from all walks of life, and elegant decor! Major THANKS to Yelp's amazing David N!

This place is gorgeous! I recently visited for a Houston Public Media event and I was impressed. Everything is very pretty, artistic, and intentional. My husband explained to me that even things like the lines on the floor are coordinated with the grid on a map (or something like that). And the air conditioner vents were camouflaged in natural spaces in the architecture. The design of the bathroom made me feel like I was on a spaceship. In the theater the acoustics were great and the seats were very comfortable with something that kind of felt like lumbar support. After the show we went into a large room for drinks and snacks and it was just so pretty. The staff were very professional, attentive, and served us delicious food. I would love to attend another event at the Asia Society!

Beautiful, element, fairly new place to hold parties, conferences, or meetings. It was my first time there this past Saturday and I immediately fell in love with the location and the design of it. There is also a gallery inside for you to relax and learn more about the world. Love it.

Beautiful facility with tons of great art and information. I like this facility and their different events. Having the Asia society in our community is definitely a bonus to us all. The art displays are often thought provoking and sometimes make you uncomfortable, as good art should. The building itself is a bit of art too. I very much enjoy the facility and will go there again and again.

First of all, this museum is beautiful! The big reflective pool of water on the second floor overlooking an expansive green lawn, and bright open space inside. It's just really peaceful to look out from the seconf floor window. But on to the more important keys to this museums success, the many many opportunities to visit/ get involved/ explore. I've been to multiple evening events here from upscale galas, to the Asian Street Festival tonight. In the short amount of time they've been open they've found ways to attract a multitude of people with a variety of interests. They celebrate the arts and culture from the east, so you can go admire the Bhatik's from Indonesia for instance. They also touch on the harder stubjects we need to be discussing like the video and panel discussion on human trafficking coming up this week. Keep it up Asia Society! I'm looking forward to all the ways I can stay involved!

Visited for the first time 3.2.13 curtesy of Yelp's David N for the Spotlight Asia: Cocktails and Cultural Fusions with DJ Kalkutta & DJ SUN and OMG, what a fantastic time we had! The decor was tre chic, the crowd was beautiful, the food and cocktails amazing, and we danced the night away to the beats from DJ Kalkutta, and DJ SUN. That aside, we were pleasantly supprised that we have been passing by this place all the time and never went in. What a gem we have in Houston. Must make a trip again to really soak it all in during the day! The museum is beautiful, contemporary and chic. Its mulitlevelled with great outdoor spaces and even a pool on the second floor with amazing views. I did not get to go into the gallery but will have to very soon.

Very disappointing. 2 Ceiling fixtures, 3 photos on a wall, and a few other pieces. We were told there was an infinity pool on the 2nd floor if we wanted to see it.

What a lovely place! It's great for a date, families, and for teachers! They have an Art and Architecture tour once a month along with really neat art exhibits too. Apparently, and I haven't experienced this, but they have lectures and talks with artists pretty regularly. It's a gem that Houston needed and I'm glad it's here!

Wow. Very impressed with this museum. The best part was getting an explanation of the artwork on display from a woman working inside the exhibit. I forget her name but she truly made the eye opening experience ten times better by explaining the background of the artist and the meaning behind their artwork. I am so very appreciative of the tickets yelp provided for me for the Asia Society "Spotlight Asia: Cocktails and Cultural fusion" event on March 2. The venue looks...darn PERFECT. Nothing but respect for all the people involved to make this place what it is. It was obvious everything was well planned and organized. I would recommend this museum to my friends in a heartbeat. *Standing ovation*

Came here to the mandala sandpainting event happening this weekend and wasn't disappointed. I wish they had more stuff on display but sadly they didn't. Admission is free. You'll be greeted at the door by a guard. There's a cafe inside serving food inside. I thought I'd never have to do parallel parking again living in the suburbs but I was able to find street parking right by the museum. 4 stars overall. I look forward to seeing the other exhibits they have in the future.

I visited this venue for the CulturemapHOU event this past weekend and was truly wowed by the lovel artwork, beautfil view of the surrounding neighborhood and the lovely decor (infinity pool on second level). I won to tickets to private Airborne toxic Event concert. We were treated to great tequila paired with food and sweet treats. The Asia Society staff on site were so sweet, even when asking people to refrain from taking pictures of the artwork!

So you're Asian and you know the Asia Society exists, but you've never been there. Join the club. We came here as part of an architectural tour of the building and to see the current exhibits. The building itself is beautiful! It's laid out in a way that creates a calm environment to view the exhibits and has a lovely infinity pool on the second floor! The museum also had areas for community events or classes that seemlessly flow into an outdoor space. The exhibit we saw was a display of Japanese theater masks. It was laid out so that each room worked together to tell the whole story and there was an interactive portion at the end. At the end of the tour, we had a nice lunch catered by the cafe. The sandwiches and soups were yummy and hit the spot after waking around for an hour. Overall it was a really nice experience and a hidden gem in Houston's museum scene.

The building itself is absolutely breathtaking. The parking is odd for two reasons. 1) The lot is what you see past the gorgeous second-floor pool (water garden, I guess they call it). Odd juxtaposition. Of course, this is far from the only place in Houston that has a stunning view of a parking lot. 2) The lot accepts only plastic for payment. What happens if you park there with only cash, I do not know. I came for the architectural tour, but left - I know the people conducting it meant well, but they really need to either get their facts straight in their heads or have notes. When they're getting dates mixed up in the first few sentences and saying things like "I *think* I have this right," it is not a good sign.

very nice Museum, not so many arts, but its bigger than what it look like from outside. I loved the glass window upstairs which allow you to see the smoking roof from close distance. as far as i remember it was free to get in. plus it was very organized and clean atmosphere. nice fun for the family.

We paid $5 each to see the upstairs exhibit, bamboo art. That was ok. Nothing too special. The downstairs 'art' was free and that consisted of a few abstract pieces on the walls. Pointless visiting unless you're going to an event.

Today I urged my folks to go check this museum out, as I have showed them the NYC one when they visited me. There are no senior discounts here, but $10 is reasonable admission. And at least my NY membership got me in free. The building and outdoor spaces are lovely, though entrances are hidden and the parking lot system isn't exactly self-explanatory. You have to take a ticket, park, insert your ticket in the gate when you're ready to leave, wait to see how much it says you owe, dip your credit card & watch it disappear for a second, and then leave. But the museum is still worth it. The current portraiture exhibit is very thought-provoking, especially if you are a first-generation immigrant or count any among your loved ones. I am certain we will be back, and that Mom and Dad will come here much more frequently on their own.

I am never disappointed when I go to this museum. Besides the wonderful exhibits, always soothing to look at and peaceful, the museum itself feels like a sanctuary, a place to go to get away from the fast faced life. Translated vases - very touching to read the story and so beautiful to look at. Yeesookyung finds the beginnings of entirely new forms, piecing together gathered shards of broken pottery with gold leaf - the Korean word geum for crack is the same for gold. A broken ceramic piece finds another piece and they rely on each other. the crack symbolizes the wound is emphasized with the gild. It's a metaphor of a struggle for life that makes people become more mature and beautiful as they overcome sufferings. Drawn from Nature - four artists - each equally impressive. The article and picture in the Houston chronicle peaked my interest - my favorite was Seon Ghi Bahk's Charcoal and nylon threads hanging from the ceiling. Charcoal is concentrated carbon left behind in lump form after wood is burned - the beauty of the design which included the shadow is breathtaking. It looks like the pieces of charcoal threaded with nylon is floating - frozen and suspended in time. We ate lunch at the museum's little cafe - the Lemon artichoke soup was the best soup I have every had and their chicken salad sandwich was delicious and so packed I had a hard time getting my mouth opened wide enough to take a bite. This little gem is on my list of restaurants to go to when in that neck of the woods.

I really love Asia Society Texas center.I have been a member since 2009.The society was relatively small organization in Texas.After this grand opening of new Texas center in 2012, it became a center of Asian culture in Houston TX. 1.Location and center The center is located in the Houston museum district.It is easy to visit from 59 and 288. When I visited the center the first time, It seemed to me that it is "Hotel Asia".I mean It's nice and beautiful.Everything is clean. The employees are very professional like 5 star hotel. 2.Events The center scheduled a lot of events.There is a theater inside the center.We will see films, and some concerts. The exhibition is held at the arts gallery.Currently,the center exhibits Asian arts from Rockefeller collections. I saw a lot of arts related to Japan, China, Korea and India. 3.Membership fee Individual membership fee is $50 annually. It is relatively cheap.If you are interested in Asian culture, business and politics.Here is a good organization to learn and enjoy Asia. 3.Overall This is a great organization.I hope you to join Asia society.You will learn a lot of things about Asia.

Beautiful building. Spend some time on the second floor just enjoying the view of the fountain. NIce exhibit as well - really enjoyed it. Well curated, nicely laid out. Well worth the visit.

The Grand Opening of the Asia Society facility is this weekend. What a glorious place! Lots of openess, light, and a magical entrance where "fog" seems to emanate. There's an adjacent parking lot, a little cafe with yummy asparagus soup and light food. Today, there was all sorts of music, performances, information. Different types of food trucks were available with different offerings, each having pretty white tables & chair seating with umbrellas for shade (hooray!). What a magnificent job all the donors/benefactors have done. Tremendous addition to the Museum District.

Gorgeous place! Went here for Opening Reception. It was a mix and mingle type of event. Art was unique as well. They chose great caterers and DJ. Staff was friendly and helpful. But, it seemed more focused on the "bigger" countries in Asia, i.e; Japan, Korea... (Didn't see Chinese exhibits, but they have a Chinese film (I think) that will be showing. No Vietnamese, Thai, India, or other smaller countries). But then again they JUST had their grand opening?

This place was absolutely beautiful, state if the art! Great place for a conference or maybe even a wedding.

I've been to this building a few times since its grand opening. The minimalist and contemporary design is the brainchild of a Japanese architect. Tonight's event was the kickoff party for Tiger Ball 2014. Jason and I didn't stay for the concert but we did make our way to the art exhibit. This artist paints with basic black ink on different calligraphy paper. One collection is the very simple yet profound Ichi style. I found my favorite one in the Character collection. When I look at the painting, it reminds me of the human body and charges me with energy. I feel like a spring bend to its very limits and ready to bounce. The beauty of art is the same piece will communicate different message to everyone. Jason's favorite is the Waterfall collection.