This is just one of the several stories that the New York Times‘s Stephanie Strom tells in her piece about museums making new effort to reach their local constituencies to raise money for programs, wings and acquisitions in the arts of various ethnic groups. What’s most fascinating about the story is that it took so long for museums to see the opportunity:

WHEN the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston wanted to create galleries for a display of Asian art a few years back, it wasn’t sure where or how to start.

So it knocked on the door of the South Korean Consulate, seeking advice and contacts. Soon, museum officials were receiving invitations to a variety of events hosted and attended by members of Houston’s thriving Korean community.

“We went from one event to another, collecting checks for $25 and things like that,” said Peter C. Marzio, the museum’s director. Eventually, he met Chong-Ok Matthews, who helped the museum raise $2.3 million for its Arts of Korea Gallery and became a museum trustee.

To Attract a Crowd, Scour Your Demographics (New York Times)