Cosponsored by the Department of the History of Art, University of Michigan, and the Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, Ars Orientalis is a peer-reviewed annual volume of scholarly articles and book reviews on the art and archaeology of Asia, including the ancient Near East and the Islamic world. Fostering a broad range of themes and approaches, it is intended for scholars in diverse fields. Occasional thematic volumes are published.

The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum and research complex. Dedicated for 159 years to the "increase and diffusion of knowledge," the Smithsonian supports authoritative scholarship in science, history, and the arts and is an international leader in scientific research and exploration.