Explore Art & Design

Discover the transformative power of art
Explore and discover featured content or search for your specific interest.

Green velveteen hat. It is circular with layers of fabric in a wrapped design.
Smithsonian Stories

A Smithsonian Hat You Can Try On

This piece by Vanilla Beane is one of the new AR effects using Smithsonian 3D collections.
A patachitra scroll scene depicts the coronavirus and precautions taken by people to avoid it. Art by Swarna Chitrakar
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

Painting the Pandemic

Patachitra scrolls in West Bengal, India, tell the story of the pandemic visually and accompanying songs present the story in words.
Winter skating
Smithsonian Spotlight

Winter Wonderland

You don’t have to bundle up to enjoy these wintry works of art in our collections.
Ragnar Kjartaansson and Christine Sun Kim
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Artist Diaries

This living video archive captures the responses of contemporary international artists to the pandemic in their own voices.
Bronx Storefront
Smithsonian Spotlight

Latinx Art and Artists

Explore Smithsonian collections reflecting the rich diversity of Latinx art and expression.
Heart Motif, Textile Design
Smithsonian Spotlight

We Heart Art

From amulets to valentines, the heart motif in art and design.
Low rider illustration.
Sidedoor Podcast

Cheech Marin Gets Artsy

Cheech Marin is our guide to the wildly creative and ingenious world of rasquachismo—the Chicano art of working with what you've got.
Louise Nevelson photograph
Smithsonian Spotlight

American Women Artists

Discover women artists and their works in the collections.
Getting a closer look at album jackets by Mingering Mike, an artist in SAAM's collection.
Smithsonian American Art Museum

Re:Frame

This video series features experts from across the Smithsonian—reframing how we think about art.
Yellow-and-Blue Bird on Bouquet with Rose, Tulips, and Daffodils, with Butterflies
Smithsonian Spotlight

Museum Bouquet

We hope that these bouquets in our collections bring you some cheer and joy.
Lily Tomlin
Smithsonian Spotlight

Hats Off to These Pieces

Who wore it best?
Roseville Pottery bowl
Smithsonian Spotlight

American Art Pottery

Beautiful and useful, American art pottery from across the Smithsonian.