The Billie Trimble Chandler Arts Foundation, Inc. dba, The Asian Cultures Museum, was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1974. The Museum represents the vision of one woman-Mrs. Billie Trimble Chandler. Beginning in the late 1950's, Mrs. Chandler lived and taught English in Japan for over seventeen years. During this period, she collected thousands of artifacts and commissioned numerous works of art. Upon her return to Corpus Christi, these objects became the core of the Museum's collections. The collection was later expanded to include items from other Pacific Rim nations and the Indian subcontinent. Reflecting this broader scope, in 1982, the institution became The Museum of Oriental Cultures. The following year, a board of trustees was formed to oversee the operation and funding of the Museum.

Today, The Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures Museum is a thriving center providing high quality exhibitions, educational opportunities and entertaining special events. Our vast collection includes over 8,000 objects and documents. These include a five foot bronze Amida Buddha; over 2,800 Japanese Hakata dolls and paintings; Chinese porcelain, lacquer ware and opera costumes; Korean textiles, costumes, and ceramics; Indian brass artifacts; and collections from the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

One of only five museums of its kind in the United States, The Asian Cultures Museum was recently designated by the Texas Legislature as the Official State Museum of Asian Cultures. In 1999, over 15,000 people visited our Museum and experienced the wonder of Asia, and the numbers have grown since.

The mission of the State Museum of Asian Cultures and Educational Center is to promote an understanding of Asian Cultures through educational programming, exhibits based upon our extensive collection of Asian artifacts, and special events. The Museum is committed to providing an increased cultural awareness about Asia to Texans and encouraging mutual understanding with the peoples of Asia.