Public Programs

Newsroom of the Smithsonian

Media resources for our public programs. See our Event Calendar for all of our public programs.

Photograph of live orchid planted in colorful, patterned pot admist other lush greenery.
Smithsonian Gardens To Present 28th Annual Orchid Exhibition
Installation Includes Commissioned Works by Artist Phaan Howng and Explores Conservation Efforts
01.10.2024
Smithsonian Gardens Exhibitions Public Programs
Photograph of black and white pinback button with image of Martin Luther King Jr.s face in center surrounded by quotes.

Pinback button memorial depicting Martin Luther King Jr. ca. 1968. 
Credit: Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, gift of Peggy Boyd Petrey.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Kicks Off January 2024 with Dynamic Programming
12.19.2023
African American Museum Public Programs
Woman in a green top and blue pants stand in a field, leaning against wood fence.
Smithsonian Associates Presents In-Person and Livestreamed “Revolutionary Road Trip” Panel Discussion With PBS Television Host Darley Newman
12.04.2023
Smithsonian Associates Public Programs
Square yellow button with two silhouettes facing each other and candles in between.

Pinback button celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Credit: Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture

Kwanzaa and Holiday Specials Highlight December Programming at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
11.27.2023
African American Museum Exhibitions Public Programs
Exterior facade of building with tan stones, windows, and curved sides.
Native Art Market Brings Indigenous Artisans to Washington and New York for Curated Shopping Experience
11.17.2023
American Indian Museum Public Programs
Two hands hover over a bundt cake dusted with powdered sugar.
Smithsonian Associates Kicks off the Holiday Season With In-Person and Livestreamed Programs
11.15.2023
Smithsonian Associates Public Programs
Courtesy of Powerlands
Native Cinema Showcase: Powerlands
Download (5.92 MB)
Native Cinema Showcase: Rosie - Hero Image
Download (3.06 MB)
Four people, including one child, walk in a line while pushing carts.
Online Native Cinema Showcase Brings Indigenous Films to Audiences Worldwide
Curated Selection of 35 Films From Across the Western Hemisphere and the Arctic Offer Enjoyment for the Whole Family
11.06.2023
American Indian Museum Public Programs
Panorama of indoor hangar with planes of various sizes and colors

The Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center Turns 20
Museum To Host Anniversary Celebration Dec. 2
11.01.2023
Air and Space Museum Public Programs
"The Families Civil War" book cover

The museum hosts Holly A. Pinheiro Jr. for a book talk about his latest publication, The Families’ Civil War: Black Soldiers and the Fight for Racial Justice, Nov. 11.

Military and Culture Programs Take the Spotlight in November at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
10.24.2023
African American Museum Exhibitions Public Programs
Two Baltimore orioles among grasses

Ten Baltimore oriole chicks hatched in June at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. (Photo by Roshan Patel, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

Public Can Help Name Orchard Oriole Chicks at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Zoo Partners With Maryland Governor Wes Moore To Name Orchard Oriole and Baltimore Oriole Chicks
10.23.2023
National Zoo & SCBI Public Programs
Kim Sajet with headphones in recording studio

Kim Sajet in the National Portrait Gallery’s podcast studio. Photo by Gabrielle Obusek, Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. 

 

National Portrait Gallery to Premiere Season Five of Its PORTRAITS Podcast
10.17.2023
Portrait Gallery Public Programs
Holiday lighting at the Zoo

Trees festively decorated with brightly colored lights dazzle visitors at ZooLights at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.  (Photo by Skip Brown, Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute)

 

ZooLights Returns Nov. 24 to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Open Select Evenings Nov. 24 Through Dec. 30; Paid Tickets Required
10.13.2023
National Zoo & SCBI Public Programs
gif of photos related to October programming
Afrofuturism and HBCUs Highlight October Programming at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
10.10.2023
African American Museum Public Programs
Costumed children line up for goodies

Visitors trick-or-treating at the 2021 "Air & Scare" event at the Udvar-Hazy Center. Image courtesy the National Air and Space Museum

National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar-Hazy Center Hosts Annual “Air & Scare” Event Oct. 28
10.02.2023
Air and Space Museum Public Programs
Painting of man cutting hair on the sidewalk

Credit: “Anthony Cuts under the Williamsburg Bridge, Morning” by Alison Elizabeth Taylor, first prize winner of the

2022 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, marquetry hybrid (wood veneers, oil paint, acrylic paint, inkjet prints,

shellac, and sawdust on wood), 2020. Collection of the artist. Copyright Alison Elizabeth Taylor. Courtesy of

Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

 

National Portrait Gallery Announces Jurors and Call for Entries for Next Triennial Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition
Selected Artworks Will Be Exhibited in Major Exhibition and Tour
09.27.2023
Portrait Gallery Exhibitions Public Programs
Cover of book "Sculpture at the ends of slavery"
Caitlin Meehye Beach Awarded the 35th Annual Eldredge Prize for Her Book “Sculpture at the Ends of Slavery”
09.27.2023
American Art Museum Public Programs Education News
Graphic banner promoting the Philanthropy INitiative
Smithsonian Examines Philanthropy at a Symposium and in an Exhibit
National Museum of American History Hosts “Power of Giving” Symposium on Philanthropy’s Role in Social Justice and Adds New Stories to “Giving in America” Exhibit
09.18.2023
American History Museum Exhibitions Public Programs
Graphic image promoting Fotos Recuerdos Festival collaboration

Image courtesy Lil' Libros

National Portrait Gallery Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and Día de Los Muertos
09.13.2023
Portrait Gallery Public Programs
Graphic art showing various Muppets with Smithsonian building in the background
Smithsonian Launches 10th Season of Its Flagship “Sidedoor” Podcast
The 'Gentle Anarchy' of the Muppets
09.13.2023
Public Programs
Decorative banner
Boo at the Zoo Returns Oct. 20, 21 and 22 at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
09.11.2023
National Zoo & SCBI Public Programs
Graphic promoting "Panda Palooza"
Smithsonian’s National Zoo Hosts Panda Palooza: A Giant Farewell, Sept. 23 to Oct. 1
Giant Pandas Will Return to China by Early December
09.06.2023
National Zoo & SCBI Public Programs
Cheryl Ganz Photo
National Postal Museum To Host Maynard Sundman Lecture
Cheryl Ganz To Speak on “U.S. Zeppelin Postage Stamps”
08.24.2023
Postal Museum Public Programs

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