Spring Visual Arts Preview

February 14, 2024

Building Stories   National Building Museum    Opened Jan. 21    Curated by children’s book historian Leonard S. Marcus, a founding trustee of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and featuring […]

Weekend Roundup, Feb. 8 – 11

February 8, 2024

Happy weekend! So many options, including performances by The National Philharmonic and The National Chamber Ensemble. Celebrate Mardi Gras at The Wharf, enjoy a book talk on Phillis Wheatley at […]

Ciné-Concert: The Blood of a Poet

January 23, 2024

New score performed live by Matthew Nolan and Erik Friedlander The Blood of a Poet (Le Sang d’un Poète), the first part of Jean Cocteau’s Orphic Trilogy, is considered one […]

“Musical Thinking” Gallery Talk

November 21, 2023

Go in-depth with Saisha Grayson, curator of time-based media at SAAM, as she discusses the years-long curatorial process behind Musical Thinking: New Video Art and Sonic Strategies. Learn about her […]

Art Bites Gallery Talk


Join SAAM’s research fellows for this lunchtime series of gallery talks as they share new discoveries about artworks on view. Learn the stories behind these objects and how each one […]

Celebrate Día de los Muertos in D.C.

October 26, 2023

Sugar skulls, Ofrendas, and Marigolds are just a few cultural trademarks of the celebration of Día de los Muertos or “Day of the Dead.” Día de los Muertos is a […]

ArtsWatch: Architect Selected for Bezos Learning Center; Phillips Collection Acquisitions

August 17, 2023

This month’s ArtsWatch includes a generous donation to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, an architect selected for the new Bezos Learning Center on the National Mall and an official reopening […]

2023 Clarice Smith Lecture Series: Virtual and In-Person Lecture with Artist Cauleen Smith

August 16, 2023

Interdisciplinary artist Cauleen Smith kicks off the annual Clarice Smith Distinguished Lecture Series. Smith explores African American identity through her work, particularly in films such as Sojourner, featured in SAAM’s […]

Virtual Artist Conversation with Carrie Mae Weems


Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to hear from legendary artist Carrie Mae Weems, joined in conversation by Saisha Grayson, SAAM’s curator of time-based media, to discuss her new exhibition “Carrie […]

Virtual Artist Conversation with Erica Lord and Maggie Thompson, moderated by Lara Evans


Join “Sharing Honors and Burdens: Renwick Invitational 2023” artists Erica Lord (Athabaskan/ Iñupiat) and Maggie Thompson (Fond du Lac Ojibwe) in conversation with guest curator, Lara Evans (Cherokee Nation). Thompson, […]