How Ngaire Blankenberg Is Flipping Museums for Social Impact
The former museum director has a new initiative dedicated to repairing institutions and communities through arts and heritage.
National Museum of African Art
The National Museum of African Art is located at 950 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. The National Museum of African Art is part of the Smithsonian Institution and was established in 1964 to further the collection, study and exhibition of African art across various media, including traditional and contemporary works. The collection features over 12,000 objects, including sculptures, textiles, pottery and jewelry, from across the African continent. Especially notable pieces on view at the National Museum of African Art include the Igbo Ikenga figures and the Ethiopian Christian illuminated manuscripts. The museum has hosted exhibitions such as “Visionary: Viewpoints on Africa’s Arts,” which explores diverse artistic expressions from Africa, and “I Am… Contemporary Women Artists of Africa,” highlighting the work of modern African women artists. The National Museum of African Art also provides educational programs, artist talks, and cultural events, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of African art and culture. Read more about Museums.
National Museum of African Art Director Ngaire Blankenberg Quietly Resigns
The museum's director made headlines for her repatriation of the museum's Benin Bronzes.
Hamburg Is Returning Benin Objects to Nigeria, But Not Before Exhibiting Them
Some museums have been exhibiting Benin bronzes before returning them, while others remove the objects from display immediately.
