HOUSTON, TX.- Asia Society Texas Center announces a $1.5 million gift from Edward R. Allen III and Chinhui Juhn to endow the curator position. As a fitting gift, Mr. and Mrs. Allen have named the position in honor of their mother, Mrs. Nancy C. Allen, chief patron of the organization.

In a move that will further solidify visual art at Asia Society Texas Center, the gift comes at an important time for the organization, which launched visual art exhibitions a mere three years ago at the grand opening of its building in the Museum District.

A long-time Asia Society Texas Center supporter and board member, Eddie Allen was instrumental in the capital campaign which yielded Asia Society’s $48.4 million building designed by leading architect Yoshio Taniguchi. In addition to his capital support, Mr. Allen has underwritten major initiatives at Asia Society over the years, including funding the purchase and installation of a work by Korean artist Lee Ufan, currently on display in the center’s Sculpture Garden.

Executive Director Bonna Kol comments, “This gift from Chinhui and Eddie is transformational philanthropy at its best, and we are incredibly grateful.”

Allen and Juhn have pledged the gift over a five year period, which includes direct funding to the growing Asia Society endowment as well as additional support to direct exhibition expenses each year during that period. The largest endowment gift in the organization’s 35-year history, it will create the position of the Nancy C. Allen Curator & Director of Exhibitions, a position currently occupied by Bridget Bray, recognizing Nancy’s citywide philanthropy and her enduring support of Asia Society.

Visual arts at Asia Society Texas Center have steadily gained ground over the last three years. Currently on view is Mel Chin: Rematch, the most expansive survey of Chin’s work to date, and the result of an unprecedented collaboration among four venues showcasing 60 artworks. On March 28, the long-awaited exhibition, The Other Side: Chinese and Mexican Immigration to America, will be on view at Asia Society. Through the works of four contemporary artists, the exhibition explores the recurring issues of immigration, border relations and labor practices that persist throughout the U.S. and the world. The organization currently presents five exhibitions each year, utilizing its 4,000-square foot Louisa Stude Sarofim Gallery as well as the first floor Fayez Sarofim Grand Hall and North Gallery.