Bishop White Committee: Friends of East Asia

Meiji period “Flowers of a Hundred Worlds (Momoyogusa 百々世草), vol. 1” by Kamisaka Sekka (1866 - 1942), album of woodblock prints; ink and colour on paper, 1909-10, Japan, 2001.78.1. © ROM. This acquisition was made possible by a generous grant from the ROM Foundation.

Support the Bishop White Committee!

Help preserve East Asian heritage and promote cultural exchange. Donate, become a member, or attend events—every contribution makes a difference.

The Bishop White Committee: Friends of East Asia supports ROM in preserving and promoting East Asian art, history, and culture. Named after Bishop William C. White, a pioneering scholar of Chinese art, our committee fosters appreciation through exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural initiatives.

By engaging donors, volunteers, and the community, we help expand the East Asian collections and share stories with future generations.

Join us in celebrating and safeguarding East Asia’s rich heritage.

The Bishop White Committee traces its roots to 1960, when a group of passionate collectors and scholars united to advance the study of East Asian art in Canada. Named in honor of Bishop William C. White (1873–1960) – ROM’s visionary first curator of East Asian collections - our organization emerged from his groundbreaking work in building what would become one of North America's most significant East Asian art collections.

Through decades of changing cultural landscapes, we've remained steadfast in our mission.

From supporting the museum’s earliest Chinese temple fresco exhibition to today’s digital initiatives, we've helped shape how Canadians experience East Asian culture. Each generation of our committee has built upon Bishop White’s original vision while adapting to new ways of engaging with heritage.

White Porcelain Jar 백자 호, Korea, early 20th century, 983.146.6. © 2016 Royal Ontario Museum. Photographed by the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation. Donated by George J. M. Gale in memory of his father, Rev. James S. Gale, Presbyterian missionary in Korea, 1888-1927.

Fundraising Events

Each year, we host special events designed to deepen engagement with the East Asian collections while generating crucial support for our programs. These curated experiences blend scholarship with unique access, offering the public, donors and members opportunities to:

Experience the collections intimately through after-hours viewings and curator-led exhibitions tours
Engage with leading experts during lectures, panels, and roundtable discussions
Support preservation efforts with proceeds directly funding conservation and research
Build community among fellow patrons passionate about East Asian arts and culture

This year, join us on May 12, 2025 for The Big Chill: Environmental Crisis and Artistic Production in Korea. Book your tickets today!

2025 Conversation Project

The Bishop White Committee is proud to support critical preservation work on three extraordinary paintings from our East Asian collections. Donate Today to help preserve these precious objects.

Donate Online

19th century Qing Dynasty Chinese hanging scroll “Judgement and Punishment in Hell”.

Late 18th century Edo period Japanese hanging scroll of Seiōbo (Queen Mother of the West).

Late 19th century Joseon Dynasty Korean six-panel folding screen with image of stationary utensils.

Enjoy our Spring 2025 accessible newsletter, including articles from ROM’s Climate Change Curator Soren Brothers and memories from long-time member Deanne Orr on the visit of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado of Japan.

Bishop White Committee 2023. © Roya Adeli.

Become a Member

As a member, you’ll enjoy:

Exclusive access to ROM exhibitions, including private curator-led tours.
Invitations to members-only events, from gallery previews to cultural celebrations.
Behind-the-scenes opportunities at East Asian art conservation labs and storage vaults.
Discounted or early registration for lectures, workshops, and special programs.

New members are always welcome!

Learn More

Late 19th century Joseon Dynasty Korean six-panel folding screen with image of stationary utensils, 995.38.1. © ROM and Gift of Mary Anne and Chris Miller.

Make a lasting impact on East Asian art and culture through targeted giving:

Research Fellowships and Grants to support scholars studying the East Asian collections.
Acquisitions to help expand the museum’s world-class holdings.
Exhibition Development, including funds to support groundbreaking digital displays of Asian art.
Support Curatorial Positions at ROM, including the Associate Curator of Japanese Art & Culture.
Internships to support specialized training in preserving Asian artworks and objects.
Supporting the Bishop White Library, including sponsoring Asian art journal subscriptions.
Funding Conservation Projects preserving fragile artworks for future generations.

Use the link below to donate today. Please select Bishop White Committee, DAF under “Areas of Support”. Donations of $20.00 CAD or greater will receive a tax receipt.

Donate Online Now