About

ABOUT - AKAA

The Archive of Korean Artists in America (AKAA) was established in 2013 by the AHL Foundation to collect and preserve crucial archival materials related to contemporary artists of Korean descent active in the United States and the Americas. Formerly known as the Archive of Korean-American Artists, the archive was renamed the Archive of Korean Artists in America in 2015 to widen its scope and to include all Korean heritage artists working in the U.S. and the Americas. The AKAA’s digital archive was launched in 2017 and aims to facilitate greater access for curators, researchers, collectors, and the general public to a rich collection of material about contemporary artists of Korean descent. The AHL Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 and is dedicated to supporting Korean artists working in the United States and promoting their work within the contemporary art world.

The AKAA is made possible thanks to generous support from the Overseas Koreans Foundation, Grace Charity Foundation, Kim Family Fund, E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and the Yang Won Sun Foundation. 
 

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RECORDS

Physical materials stored in the AKAA include but are not limited: Paper documents (press clippings, exhibition catalogs, exhibition ephemera, publications, book, photos, etc.), digital files consisting of scanned documentation/images, artwork images, and original audio and video files of artist interviews conducted by AHL Foundation Research Fellows. These physical materials can be only accessed in-person by appointment.
 

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INTERVIEW

The Archive of Korean Artists in America (AKAA)’s interviews are conversations between artists and art critics, art historians, and curators familiar with their works and practice. As a living archive, participating artists are encouraged to share their stories and experiences as an artist as well as their artwork. Along with full interview transcripts, short films created from excerpts of each interview are presented alongside various selections from the AKAA, featuring related artworks and the artist’s information.
 

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VISIT US
AHL Foundation / 2605 Frederick Douglass Blvd, New York, NY 10030
Email: archive@ahlfoundation.org
Office Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 12pm – 5pm by appointment only
​​Access Procedures:

• Visitors are to be supervised at all times by (an) administrative staff member(s) or current research fellow(s).
• No food or drink is allowed in any shape or form.
• No pens are allowed. Pencils will be provided upon request.
• Gloves may be provided for access to certain materials.
• Materials are to be returned in the correct order as provided.
• Materials cannot be removed off AHL Foundation premises.
• Access Notes AHL Foundation office is wheelchair accessible.