Although some South and Southeast Asian art artifacts existed in the collection previously, official curatorship of the South and Southeast Asian art collections of the Freer/Sackler galleries did not begin until 1989. Indeed the first expert in South Asian art at the galleries was Milo Cleveland Beach, who arrived as Assistant Director, Sackler Gallery in 1984. Curatorial - South and Southeast Asian Art reports to a Chief Curator, or Curatorial Chair, which was created in 1998.

Carol Bolon was the first Assistant Curator, South and Southeast Asia and served from 1989 to 1994. Vidya Dehejia was Curator, South and Southeast Asia from 1994- . Dehejia also presently serves as the Chief Curator.

Curatorial - South and Southeast Asian Art is responsible for researching; publishing; lecturing; studying and translating texts, seals, and artifacts; and providing expert opinions on provenance, age, quality, or other significance about the Freer/Sackler artifacts of South and Southeast Asian art. Research and lectures take place both in these galleries and in other research sites in this country and abroad.