Join us in our adventure through the artistic universes, past and present, of Asia, the Ancient Middle East and the Islamic World
Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures (FAAC), founded in 2006, is a group of patrons and friends who are committed to fostering understanding and appreciation of the diverse visual and material cultures of Asia, the Ancient Middle East, and the Islamic World.
FAAC sponsors programs and festivals celebrating the diverse cultures of Asia, the Ancient Middle East, and the Islamic World, as well as lectures by leading scholars on art, architecture, religion, museum studies, and cultural studies. These events are free to the public with museum admission.
FAAC also helps to fund the acquisition of works of art for the DIA's permanent collections. In 2008, FAAC funds supported the purchase of a bi-folio from a large 16th-century Qur’an from Egypt, with beautiful calligraphy and gold accents. In 2015, FAAC funded the acquisition of a shimmering Tenmoku tea bowl by the Japanese ceramist Kamada Koji (born 1948).
FAAC members enjoy special receptions that follow every lecture, visits to museums and other collections, and invitations to travel nationally and internationally on exclusive DIA tours. Come enjoy the company of other like-minded art enthusiasts, and get to know the department’s staff. We look forward to welcoming you as a member at our next event!
Members enjoy:
- Invitations to festive gallery previews
- Invitations to scholarly symposia and colloquia
- Invitations to travel to exciting art destinations nationally and internationally on DIA tours
- Insider’s view of gallery installations and special exhibitions
- Advance notice of lectures
- Invitation to post-lecture receptions
Members’ contributions support:
- Cultural festivals, performances, guest lectures, and other public events
- Acquisitions of works of art
- Publications about DIA artworks
The Board of Directors, elected annually, is a dedicated group of members who govern the FAAC’s activities including allocating funds for acquisitions, events and programming, community outreach, and fund-raising events. The officers of the Board head committees that provide an opportunity for all members to become involved with planning FAAC activities.
Membership Levels
| Membership Level | Annual |
|---|---|
| Individual | $50 |
| Family | $100 |
| Contributing | $250 |
| Sustaining | $500 |
| Benefactor | $1,000 |
| Major Benefactor* | $2,000 |
All members are eligible to join the departmental curator on local trips to other institutions, collections, and workshops.
Members at the Sustaining level and above receive an annual invitation to a special curatorial brunch and a private tour of the department’s galleries or collections in storage.
In order to be eligible for membership in the Friends of Asian Arts and Cultures, you must be a member of The Detroit Institute of Arts. For program information, call us (313) 833-9830.
Officers
Anita Rajpal, President
Jumana Cooper, Vice-President
Sharon Dow, Treasurer
Freda Giblin, Recording Secretary
Li Hsieh, Membership Chairperson
Directors
Rouba Ali-Fehmi
Jill Best
Theresa Chang
Taoqu Chen
Yee-Ho Chia
Karen Chopra
Asuman Ilkim Erturk
Meenu Gulati
Mieko Inaba
Robert Jacobs
Saeed Khan
Rhona Lee
Rupali Lunani
Alicia Masse
Ali Moiin
Emmy Peck
Hema Rachmale
David Roden
Carol Stepanchuk
Bob Tera
Vasu Tolia
Nurten Ural
David Weinberg
Fang Zhang
Honorary Member
David Morrison
Staff
Curator, Katherine Kasdorf
Development Liasion, Deborah Odette
Admin. Asst., Tarya Stanford