News
Obama Portraits Double Annual Attendance at the National Portrait Gallery
As the museum approaches its 50th anniversary on October 7, the Smithsonian gallery announced it saw two million visitors this fiscal year.
Smithsonian Institution
Interview
UCLA Study Holds Smithsonian Accountable for Better Institutional Latino Representation
A new study evaluates Latino representation across the institution. One of the authors, Chon Noriega, discusses the results and why they are indicative of a widespread problem in the art world.
News
1,400 US Museums to Offer Free Admission on September 22
The 14th annual Museum Day, sponsored by the Smithsonian, will celebrate “Women Making History” in 2018.
Art
The Enduring Influence of Ikat Fabric, from Oscar de la Renta to Contemporary Design
Ikat patterns have become enormously popular in both fashion and interior design. But most consumers seem to be ignorant of the textile’s cultural origins.
News
With Smithsonian's Blessing, Humanoid Robots Invade Our Museums
The Smithsonian is the first museum complex to integrate the interactive androids.
News
House Bill Proposes National Museum Devoted to Women's History
The Smithsonian recently launched the American Women's History Initiative — but a House bill goes further, proposing the creation of a national museum devoted to women's history.
News
DC's African American History and Culture Museum Is Finally Allowing Walk-In Visitors
This month, the museum is piloting a "Walk-Up Wednesdays" program for first-come, first-served entry once a week.
In Brief
After Pushback, Smithsonian Revises Renovation Plan to Preserve Beloved Garden
Bjarke Ingels Group's revised proposal preserves the Haupt Garden, one of DC's favorite garden spaces.
News
Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art Could Close This Week Because of Government Shutdown [UPDATED]
Many cultural institutions may be forced to close or scale back their operations if the government shutdown continues beyond Monday.
Art
Go Behind the Scenes of 9 Museums With These Great Online Web Series
These nine museums are using online video series to take viewers behind the scenes of their collections.
In Brief
Two Nooses Discovered at Smithsonian Museums This Week
"Today's incident is a painful reminder of the challenges that African Americans continue to face," said NMAAHC Founding Director Lonnie Bunch.
Art
How a Smithsonian Naturalist’s Skeleton Ended Up on View at the Museum
The skeleton of 19th-century collector Robert Kennicott is on view in the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History's Objects of Wonder. The bones recently solved the long mystery of his death.