NOVA

In astronomy, “nova” refers to the appearance of a new star in the sky. Just as young stars take lightyears to be seen from Earth, it takes time for up-and-coming artists to join the art world’s mainstream. With NOVA, you won’t have to wait to enjoy their brilliance. As a NOVA member, you’ll gain access to contemporary art’s brightest Asian and Asian American stars — while also playing an active role in their ascent to new heights.

“The Asian Art Museum is the first museum to bring my works to America; NOVA offers contemporary artists a crucial degree of autonomy and support,” says Lam Tung Pang (Chinese, b. 1978, active Hong Kong and Vancouver), whose monumental, meditative, and playfully subversive installation Past Continuous Tense transformed the museum’s Lee Gallery in 2022. “It’s visionary for a museum today to bring together Asian and Asian American stories, while also breaking down the antiquated boundaries of the past. NOVA enables the Asian Art Museum to connect cultures and creators all over the world.”

NOVA’s mission includes:

• Building a dynamic roster of unique, site-specific, monumental, and career-defining contemporary works in the museum’s collection;
• Directly supporting the creation, installation, and conservation of seminal works by contemporary Asian and Asian American artists;
• Fostering hands-on opportunities for curators and staff to expand and share their knowledge of contemporary art from across the Asian diaspora.

At NOVA’s core is the Asian Art Museum’s acclaimed team of contemporary curators, led by Senior Curator and Head of Contemporary Art Abby Chen, whose numerous distinctions include her selection as curator of the Taiwan Pavilion in the 60th annual Venice Biennale (2024). Positioned at the top of their field, the Asian Art Museum’s ambitious and forward-thinking contemporary art team holds a unique advantage by virtue of their wide-ranging network of international relationships, comprising a who’s-who of exceptional creativity from across the globe. NOVA members enjoy exclusive access to these high-profile figures, as well as behind-the-scenes opportunities for travel and intimate gatherings with top Asian and Asian American artists and curators.

NOVA member benefits include:

A Biennial Contemporary Art Forum
Learn from leading experts and discuss hot topics in the field with like-minded NOVA members at this symposium designed to inspire. 

Travel Opportunities
Explore both domestic and international contemporary art fairs, shows, and artist studio visits in non-forum years.

Annual Showcase Event
Celebrate NOVA’s accomplishments at this year-end gathering of artists and fellow NOVA members. 

VIP Art Fair Access
Premier access to contemporary art fairs for aspiring or existing collectors.

Unlimited free admission to the Asian Art Museum, including special exhibitions.

Instead of inheriting a legacy, NOVA is building one. Our community of collectors and art lovers is looking ahead, expanding the canon, and writing the next chapter of art history. All art was once contemporary; it won’t take long for today’s trending artists to become tomorrow’s most celebrated luminaries. Join NOVA today to take your place in this spectacular constellation. 

For more information about NOVA, contact us at [email protected].