ABOUTSAAC
The South Asian Arts Council (SAAC) is a forum for the exploration, appreciation, and enjoyment the art and culture of the South Asian Civilizations.
Our Mission
The South Asian Arts Council (SAAC), formerly the Committee for the Arts of the Indian Subcontinent (CAIS), established in 2003, supports The San Diego Museum of Art in its mission to promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts of the South Asian civilizations. The world-renowned Edwin Binney 3rd Collection of over 1,400 Indian miniature paintings serves as the focal point of the museum’s South Asian holdings. SAAC’s broad perspective supports a full range of art forms from the region – modern and contemporary art as well as the traditional visual arts and culture.
PROGRAMS
Programs include a variety of activities, scheduled on a regular basis, such as lectures and presentations, movies & performing arts events, Social/cultural mixers, tours and visits to museums and collections. If you wish to attend our programs as a guest – please contact us.
STUDY GROUP MEETINGS
The SAAC study group meets regularly online on Saturdays at 10 am PT. The dates and topics are announced well in advance. View Study Group meeting dates here.
Shiva with his family enthroned, Edwin Binney 3rd Collection, 1990.1142
EDWIN BINNEY 3RD Art Collection
Slide Image Credit, Edwin Binney 3rd Colelction: Thakur Bhopal Singh hunts blackbuck, 1990.927; Muhammad Adil Shah Selects a Jewel, 1990.443; Noble Bullock Cart, 1990.1433;
Known for its worldwide acclaim, the Museum’s Edwin Binney 3rd Collection is one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of South Asian paintings outside of India. The collection surveys every major school of South Asian painting from Buddhist palm leaf manuscripts of the 12th century to 19th century images from colonial India.
The collection has remarkable holdings of minatures made for the Mughal, Deccani, Rajasthani, and Pahari courts from the 15th to the 19th centuries as well as Sikh and Hindu religious themes.
UPCOMING Events
Learn more about events hosted by SAAC
Learn more about the Edwin Binney the 3rd collection
Learn how to become a member of the San Diego Museum of Art
