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Smithsonian

The Smithsonian Institute is located at 600 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, D.C. The Smithsonian art museums include several key arts institutions: the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM), founded in 1829, with its vast collection of American art; the Renwick Gallery, a branch of SAAM dedicated to contemporary craft and decorative arts, opened in 1972; the National Portrait Gallery, established in 1962, featuring portraits of notable American figures; the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, founded in 1974, focusing on modern and contemporary art and the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, collectively known as the National Museum of Asian Art, founded in 1923 and 1987, respectively, showcasing significant collections of Asian art. These museums offer diverse exhibitions, programs and research opportunities, enhancing the cultural and educational mission of the Smithsonian Institution. Read more about Museums.

Image of a banana hanging from a wall with duck tape.

From Cattelan’s Scandalous Banana to a Duo of Lalanne Camels: 10 Highlights of the November Art Auctions

The three major houses are playing it safe, focusing on blue-chip names and leaving less space for discoveries on the ultra-contemporary side.
By Elisa Carollo
Image oif three people two young woman and a guy and a older woman on the stage.

Inside the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art 70th Anniversary Gala

In her speech, newly appointed director Anne Helmreich emphasized the center’s role in safeguarding the diverse stories that define American art.
By Elisa Carollo
Woman poses in front of blue brick wall

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.
By Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly
An etching showing a boat docking with people on the prow

One Fine Show: James McNeill Whistler at the National Museum of Asian Art

By Dan Duray
Colorful buttons, posters and stickers endorsing various presidential candidates

Smithsonian Curators Are on the Hunt for Election Memorabilia

By Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly
Two men in suits shake hands with American flag in background

The Smithsonian Strengthens Ties with the U.S. State Department

By Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly
Man wearing glasses and suit poses.

In Art News: Getty Trust Board Changes, Museum Bezos, ‘Cheers’ Auction

By Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly
Middle-aged woman in pink blazer speaks at podium.

National Museum of African Art Director Ngaire Blankenberg Quietly Resigns

By Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly
Melissa Chiu, Director of the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, announces the 2022 Hirshhorn Ball Artist-Honoree award in the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden on May 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images)

‘The Exhibit’ Mixes High-Caliber Art With Shameless Self-Promotion

By Anni Irish

Jeff Bezos’s Name Will Remain on the Smithsonian for 50 Years

By Helen Holmes

National Museum of African Art Director Says Showing Benin Bronzes Does Harm

By Helen Holmes

The National Museum of African Art Is Returning Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

By Helen Holmes

Bill Traylor’s Outsider Art Found a Devoted Admirer in William Louis-Dreyfus

By Helen Holmes
Portrait of Michelle Obama by Amy Sherald and portrait of Barack Obama by Kehinde Wiley.

What Critics Are Saying About the Obamas’ Official Portraits

By Margaret Carrigan
National Museum of African American History.

African American History Museum Tickets Sell Out Online, LA Maps Public Art

By Alanna Martinez
A rendering of the proposed design for a Guggenheim museum in Helsinki.

Is Third Time a Charm for Helsinki Guggenheim? First Look at Paisley Park…And More

By Guelda Voien
There's no place like home- especially if that home is the Smithsonian.

Smithsonian Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for ‘Wizard of Oz’ Slippers

By John Bonazzo
Jorge Cosano

Dom Pérignon Celebrates Architect David Adjaye in Washington, D.C.

By Zachary Weiss
A porter holds up the manuscript of Marcel Proust's questionaire, 27 May 2003 put up for sale in Paris by Beaussant-Lefevre auction house at Drouot hotel in Paris. The manuscript from 1884-1887, conceived by Proust at 14, was sold 120.227 Euro, four time its estimate price, to French designer Gerard Darel.

French Court Jails Auction House Thieves, Museum of Arts and Design Names Director

By Alanna Martinez
In this handout image provided by Jordan Brand, Michael Jordan paid a visit to Palais 23 this afternoon on Friday June 12, Joined by his frequent partners-in-design Tinker Hatfield and Mark Smith, key figures in the 30-year evolution of the Air Jordan, Jordan has returned to Paris to mark the 30th anniversary of 1985's Air Jordan One. Palais 23 is a spectacular tribute to the shoes, moments, designs and artifacts that have shaped the 30-year evolution of the Air Jordan.

Michael Jordan Gives Smithsonian’s New African American Museum a $5M Assist

By Alanna Martinez
Hudson Yards: a collaboration of public and private monies.

Is Sotheby’s Eyeing a Move to Hudson Yards? Vandals Deface Land Art With ‘666’

By Alanna Martinez

In 2015, Art Museums Scrambled to Beef Up Holdings of African-American Artists

By Daniel Grant
Ethiopian artist Aida Muluneh.

In D.C. Blockbuster, African Artists Put Their Spin on Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’

By Stela Khury
"Tea Drives Away the Droops" (1936) designed by Edward McKnight Kauffer for Empire Tea Market Expansion Board. (Photo: Matt Flynn courtesy Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum)

Cooper Hewitt Show to Explain the Science of Posters

By Brianna McGurran
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