Exhibitions

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View news releases below or see all of our publicly released upcoming exhibitions.

A white dress, white overcoat and blue coat ensemble with matching accessories

Photo by Jaclyn Nash

Smithsonian Adds First Lady Jill Biden’s Inaugural Ensembles to Its Historic First Ladies Collection
Addition to First Ladies Collection Continues a 100-Year Tradition
01.25.2023
American History Museum Exhibitions New Acquisitions
Three sculptural objects of varying ornateness depicting stylized animals

Left to right: Ritual wine pouring vessel (gong) with masks (taotie), dragons, and real animals, Anyang or middle Yangzi region, ca. 1100 B.C., bronze, Gift of Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, F1961.33a–b; Ritual wine-pouring vessel (gong) with masks (taotie) and dragons, middle or late Anyang period, ca. 1100 B.C., bronze, Gift of Arthur M. Sackler, S1987.279a–b; Ritual wine-pouring vessel (gong) with masks (taotie), dragons, and real animals, middle Anyang period, ca. 1150–1100 B.C., bronze, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1939.53a–b (National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution)

Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art Presents “Anyang: China’s Ancient City of Kings”
The First Major Exhibition in the United States Dedicated to Anyang, the Capital of Ancient China’s Shang Dynasty and Birthplace of Chinese Archaeology
01.17.2023
Asian Art Museum Exhibitions
Two women work in front of a textile loom

Dorothy Liebes Studio, New York City, ca. 1957; Dorothy Liebes Papers, Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution

Cooper Hewitt To Present Monographic Exhibition on Designer and Weaver Dorothy Liebes
"A Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes" On View July 7 Through Feb. 4, 2024
01.05.2023
Cooper Hewitt Exhibitions
Illustration of various symbols in black, white and red
“Give Me a Sign: The Language of Symbols” Exhibition To Open This Spring at Cooper Hewitt
12.15.2022
Cooper Hewitt Exhibitions
Two elephants stand next to each other in their zoo enclosure
New Mother and Daughter Asian Elephants On View at Smithsonian’s National Zoo
12.13.2022
National Zoo Exhibitions
Entrance to brightly lit museum exhibit with object cases and wall text
New Culture Wing Showcases Role of Entertainment in American Life
Avedon Photographs and Iconic TV, Film, Theater, Sports and Music Artifacts On View Dec. 9
12.08.2022
American History Museum Exhibitions
Entrance to brightly colored museum exhibit titled "Entertainment Nation"
Smithsonian Entertainment Exhibition To Showcase Pop Culture
The Ruby Slippers, Prince’s Guitar, Ali’s Boxing Robe and Selena’s Costume Among 200 Objects on View in “Entertainment Nation”/“Nación del espectáculo” Opening Dec. 9
12.08.2022
American History Museum Exhibitions
Exterior of classical architecture-style building with banners displayed between columns
Barro Colorado Island Research Station in Panama Celebrates Upcoming 100th Birthday With Exhibition at the National Museum of Natural History
11.22.2022
Tropical Research Institute Natural History Museum Exhibitions
Man raises his arms while appearing to sing

Credit: Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Courtesy J. Paul Getty Trust and Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

“Spirit in the Dark” Opens Friday at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Exhibition Examines Religion Through Ebony and Jet Photographs of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Malcolm X and More
11.16.2022
African American Museum Exhibitions
Graphic with text "Afrofuturism, A history of Black futures. Exhibition opens March 24, 2023"
National Museum of African American History and Culture Announces New Exhibition Exploring Stories and Futures of Black Liberation
“Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” Opens March 24, 2023
11.09.2022
African American Museum Exhibitions
Artwork depicting a riverbank with various stakes driven into the sand

“Riverbank I,” Ravi Agarwal (b. 1958), India, 2007, Inkjet print, H x W (unframed): 106.7 × 159.7 cm (42 × 62 7/8 in), Gift of Drs. Umesh and Sunanda Gaur, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, S2019.6.4 

Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art Presents “Unstill Waters: Contemporary Photography from India”
Works by Indian Artists Speak to Global Environmental and Social Issues
11.08.2022
Asian Art Museum Exhibitions
Exterior of National Museum of the American Indian
Prairie du Chien Treaty of 1829 To Go On View at the National Museum of the American Indian
11.08.2022
American Indian Museum Exhibitions
Green decorative art piece in nouveau style next to print pamphlet in a graphic style
"Hector Guimard: How Paris Got Its Curves" and "Deconstructing Power: W. E. B. Du Bois at the 1900 World's Fair" To Open This Fall at Cooper Hewitt
Upcoming Exhibitions Provide Visitors With New Insights Into Early 20th-Century Paris and the First Black American-led Display in a European World's Fair
11.02.2022
Cooper Hewitt Exhibitions
Underside of rocket launcher

Saturn V F-1 liquid fuel rocket engine and the 1/4 cutaway F-1 liquid fuel rocket engine in the “Destination Moon” exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Credit: Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum/Jim Preston

National Air and Space Museum Receives $1 Million Gift From Aerojet Rocketdyne Foundation
Gift Supports Newly Reopened “Destination Moon” Gallery
11.02.2022
Air and Space Museum Exhibitions
Three portraits of distinct styles positioned in a row

Credit: (L) “Venus Williams, Double Portrait” by Robert Pruitt, conté crayon, charcoal, pastel and coffee wash on paper, 2022. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired in part through the generosity of Mark D. Ein. Copyright 2022 Robert Pruitt. (C) “José Andrés and the Olla de Barro that Feeds the World” by Kadir Nelson, oil on linen, 2022. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired through the generosity of Teresa Carlson and André Pienaar; Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg’s The Hearthland Foundation; Cheryl and Ron Howard; Patty Stonesifer and Michael Kinsley; The Wilder Family. Copyright 2022 Kadir Nelson. (R) “AVA” by Kenturah Davis, oil stamp on kozo paper, 2022. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired in part through the generosity of Agnes Gund.

National Portrait Gallery Announces “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees,” Exhibition of Newly Commissioned Portraits, To Open Nov. 10
Debut of New Commissions by Contemporary Artists Hugo Crosthwaite, Kenturah Davis, David Hockney, Kadir Nelson, Toyin Ojih Odutola, and Robert Pruitt, and the Premiere of a Newly Acquired Photograph by Ruven Afanador
11.01.2022
Portrait Gallery Exhibitions
Collection of random objects strewn across a white surface
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Opens “Nature of the Book”
Exhibition Uncovers the Art, Science and History of Hand-Press Bookmaking
11.01.2022
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives Exhibitions
Architectural detail of Hirshhorn Museum
Hirshhorn Museum Extends “One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirshhorn Collection” Through Spring 2023
Museum To Introduce Online Distribution of Advanced Timed Passes Nov. 9
10.26.2022
Hirshhorn Museum Exhibitions
Three dimensional portrait made with fiber art

Credit: “Milk” by Elsa María Meléndez. Canvas with silkscreen, embroidery, ink, and other textiles. 2020 Collection of the artist. Copyright Elsa María Meléndez.

National Portrait Gallery Announces Elsa María Meléndez as Winner of the 2022 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition’s People’s Choice Award
“The Outwin 2022” Exhibition To Tour Starting Spring 2023
10.26.2022
Portrait Gallery Exhibitions
Brutalist architectural details of Hirshhorn Museum courtyard
Hirshhorn Receives Transformative Gift of Chinese Photography
“A Window Suddenly Opens: Contemporary Photography in China” To Include Promised Gift of 141 Artworks, Opens Nov. 4
10.21.2022
Hirshhorn Museum Exhibitions
Row of cellphone cases against a white background

James Di Loreto / Smithsonian Institution. (Cell phone cases from left to right) Dinosaur Fossils in Blue by Meghan Hageman, Buffalo Medicine by John Isaiah Pepion, Piikani Band of the Blackfoot Confederacy, ¡Sin Lucha No Hay Victoria! (No Guts, No Glory!) by Lena Run, Progress Pride by Dani Guarino, Notorious B.I.G. Icon–Biggie Smalls by Thomas O’Neill, The Journey by Stephen Hogarth, Dancing Dragonflies by Michelle Lowden, Acoma Pueblo, Hi! by Jay Fleck.

 

New Smithsonian Exhibition to Explore the Unseen Connections of Cellphones
“Cellphone: Unseen Connections” Will Offer Visitors a Chance to Contemplate the Intersection of Technology, Nature and Culture at Their Fingertips
10.20.2022
Natural History Museum Exhibitions
Crocheted multi-colored sculpture laying flat against grey background

Credit: Crocheted Protest Sign Displayed at Lafayette Square, Washington, DC, London Kaye, 2020. Fiber and synthetic fiber. Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Anacostia Community Museum Presents “The Utopia Project: Inspiration for Creative Activism”
The Interactive Gallery Experience Opens Nov. 1
10.20.2022
Anacostia Community Museum Exhibitions
Exterior of Heye Center building
“Developing Stories: Native Photographers in the Field” Reveals Contemporary Issues Through the Lenses of Three Indigenous Photographers
10.19.2022
American Indian Museum Heye Center Exhibitions
Black and white photo of a woman in top hat

Judy Garland, 1951. Credit line: Courtesy Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. All Photographs by Richard Avedon 

No cropping or text over images is permitted. A black borders must be visible.

“(re) Framing Conversations: Photographs by Richard Avedon, 1946–1965” Opens Dec. 9 at the National Museum of American History
10.12.2022
American History Museum Exhibitions
Sculptural glass spire in front of modern architectural features of National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum Reopens With Eight New Galleries Oct. 14
10.06.2022
Air and Space Museum Exhibitions

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