Asia Art Archive
Art is knowledge. Asia Art Archive is a catalyst for new ideas that enrich our understanding of the world through the collection, creation, and sharing of knowledge around recent art in Asia.
Hong Kong.
Name of the practice nominated: Asia Art Archive’s innovative custodianship model and knowledge-sharing practice
Describe the practice, program, or project, what innovative approach is proposed, and in which core museum activities it applies:
Founded in 2000, Asia Art Archive (AAA) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to documenting and redefining recent art histories in Asia. Our growing collection of primary and secondary source materials is accessible through our website and at our Hong Kong library, where we highlight underrepresented narratives to enrich global art histories.
Our mission extends beyond collecting resources. Through exhibitions, public and educational programs, artist residencies, publishing initiatives, and partnerships with art and research institutions, AAA actively engages communities to deepen their understanding of the region’s artistic heritage.
At the heart of AAA’s innovative approach is our commitment to digital and shared custodianship.
We employ a post-custodial model: This involves digitizing personal archives of artists and art professionals, ensuring online public access while returning originals after digitization. For archive owners seeking stewardship of original materials, we connect them with local collecting institutions, fostering a collaborative preservation model that values shared custodianship.
We build resources in underexplored areas of art history in Asia, such as performance, exhibition histories, and independent art spaces. Our acquisition priorities evolve through dialogues with artists and researchers, ensuring we remain responsive to the dynamic needs of our field. Our focus extends to personal archives of artists who also serve as organizers, curators, writers, and educators. We advocate for a broader understanding of artistic practice that emphasizes community over individual achievements.
Generosity lies at the core of AAA. Our team works collaboratively, guided by an artist-driven sensibility. We stay attuned to changes within the field and open to artistic interventions, shaping every aspect of our work—from archival projects and exhibitions to educational resources and itinerant library projects in partnership with artists and peer organizations. We remain dedicated to strengthening local and regional infrastructures and amplifying connections across diverse art communities.
Explain in one sentence why you think the project you nominate is outstanding and could serve as an example for the entire community of modern and contemporary art museums.
Asia Art Archive serves as an inspiring model for art museums by pioneering innovative digital and shared custodianship, addressing gaps in representation and scholarship, and empowering local and regional infrastructures through institutional partnerships and community-driven programming.
Explain why this practice or program is relevant and sustainable in creating meaningful and lasting connections with people, communities, and the museum context with a medium to long-term vision.
AAA’s medium-term vision positions it as a leader in art archiving, transforming public engagement across Asia through a strong commitment to knowledge sharing. We empower artists, researchers, educators, and writers to create new works responding to archives, and integrate art resources into educational curricula and archival workshops in Hong Kong and across the region. Our strategic partnerships with peer institutions drive infrastructural change in the arts through co-learning, capacity building, and resource sharing. We believe that understanding art transcends borders and backgrounds, and we strive to cultivate curiosity, discovery, and connection.
In the long term, AAA aims to foster a more inclusive global art history by prioritizing underrepresented narratives. Our collections expand the study of artistic practice, showcasing artists as educators, writers, organizers, and documenters—and their connections to broader networks and communities. This approach promotes a richer understanding of artistic heritage for future generations.
What are the outcomes of the practice you are most proud of?
We take pride in AAA’s commitment to engaging diverse communities in shaping our collections. Our resources thrive on the generosity and trust of artists and art professionals. Our digital collections are built on the contributions of archive owners who agree to make their materials freely accessible online, with over 85% of our library collections sourced from donations.
We are also proud of our robust governance structure, which further supports our mission. Led by a dedicated Board of Directors composed of art professionals and business leaders, we ensure strategic oversight and direction. Established in 2010, our endowment secures long-term viability while diversifying income through public funding (accounting for less than 10% of our budget), private donations, and annual fundraisers featuring donated artworks.
This approach not only strengthens our financial foundation but also reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and the sustainable growth of the arts ecosystem.
How has the nominated practice changed your methods and ways of working?
Over the past 25 years, AAA has developed a digital custodianship model, transforming our collecting methods. We have focused on collaborative approaches to the preservation and activation of artistic heritage. This evolution has reshaped our discussions around decentralizing ownership, amplifying underrepresented narratives, and rethinking access to collections. It has also allowed us to advocate for a more inclusive and accessible art history that celebrates our shared histories and futures.
At this pivotal moment—our 25th anniversary—we are excited to announce the development of an enhanced digital archiving facility in Hong Kong. This new facility will significantly expand our digitization capacity, support other cultural organizations with their archiving efforts, and provide training for the next generation of archivists.
This nomination highlights our commitment to enriching global art histories, building regional capacity for safeguarding cultural legacies, and ensuring diverse voices and histories are documented and celebrated.