Public Programs

Newsroom of the Smithsonian

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

Smithsonian Folklife Festival text overlayed on photo of rattlesnakes
Souk-Inspired Smithsonian Folklife Festival Marketplace to Feature Craft, Fine Art, Food and More
Marketplace Offerings Include Earth-Friendly Products and Works by Artisans From the UAE
06.10.2022
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Public Programs
Young student stands in front of artwork on display

Courtesy of Artlab

Hirshhorn’s Artlab Will Highlight Teen Emerging Artists With “Light Your Fire,” June 11
In Partnership With DC Public Schools, Museum Hosts Public Showcase Inviting Visitors of All Ages To Celebrate Teen-Made Art
06.08.2022
Hirshhorn Museum Public Programs Education News
"Juneteenth Senses of Freedom June 19th, 1865" text next to photo of group pf people

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Scurlock family

The Taste, Sounds and Experiences of Juneteenth Are Celebrated With an Array of Events at the National Museum of African American History and Culture
06.03.2022
African American Museum Public Programs
"Smithsonian Folklife Festival" text on background image of Smithsonian Castle
Smithsonian Folklife Festival Returns to the National Mall With Free Evening Concerts
Concerts Feature Sounds and Images From Afghanistan, the UAE, the Ozarks and More
06.02.2022
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Public Programs
architectural detail of Hirshhorn Museum with fountain
Hirshhorn and DC Listening Lounge Welcome Sound Scene Festival Back to the National Mall
Free Auditory Art Festival Transforms the National Museum of Modern Art, June 3–5
06.02.2022
Hirshhorn Museum Public Programs
"Smithsonian Folklife Festival" text on desert background
UAE Cultural Traditions Explored at the 2022 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
06.02.2022
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Public Programs
"Smithsonian Folklife Festival" text on floral background
Conservation Successes Featured at the 2022 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
06.02.2022
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Public Programs
Woman stands next to horse
Smithsonian Associates Presents “Geraldine Brooks on the Heart of the Horse: A Novelist’s Portrait” In Person and Online
06.02.2022
Smithsonian Associates Public Programs
Smithsonian Folklife Festival logo
Smithsonian Folklife Festival Returns to the National Mall With Stories of Land, Sea and Sky
05.26.2022
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Public Programs
Outdoor event at night with crowd of people
New in June at Smithsonian “FUTURES,” How To Flourish in the Year 2050
“FUTURES Cypher: Pride 2050” and the “Living Longer Festival” Embrace Future of Gender Expression and Health and Wellness, Plus Two New Programs on the Future of Work
05.23.2022
Arts and Industries Public Programs
Images of four people
KAWS, Laurie Anderson Lead Artist Lineup at 2022 Hirshhorn Ball To Support Free Arts Programming on the National Mall
Pop Art-Themed Costume Fundraiser Unites Creatives: Anifa Mvuemba, Machine Dazzle, Dan Deacon, Jason Barnes and Kelly Towles Outdoors at Hirshhorn, May 21
05.19.2022
Hirshhorn Museum Public Programs
Field Day at Futures
Smithsonian’s Free “FUTURES Field Day” Will Turn the National Mall Into a Giant Future of Sports Playing Field May 28
Visitors Can Learn Skills With NFL Players and Legends, Get Inspired by Gamechanging Women in Sports, Enjoy an Outdoor Film Screening and More
05.16.2022
Arts and Industries Public Programs
Large sculpture outside the National Museum of the American Indian

Photo by Alan Karchmer for the National Museum of the American Indian 

National Museum of the American Indian To Dedicate National Native American Veterans Memorial Nov. 11
Ceremony Will Be Part of Weekend-long Event To Honor Native Veterans
05.12.2022
American Indian Museum Public Programs
Portraits podcast logo

Credit: PORTRAITS, a podcast by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.

National Portrait Gallery Announces Season Four of Its PORTRAITS Podcast
05.10.2022
Portrait Gallery Public Programs
close-up of persons hands twisting long string together

Credit: “Birthright” (still) by Maren Hassinger, 2005. Single-channel video (color, sound), 12:12 mins. 
Edition of 5 plus 2 artist’s proofs. Courtesy of Susan Inglett Gallery, NYC.

National Portrait Gallery Announces Premiere of “Birthright,” a Live Performance by Artist Maren Hassinger June 25
Long-Awaited Performance Is a Commission of the Portrait Gallery’s “IDENTIFY” series
05.05.2022
Portrait Gallery Public Programs
Book cover of The Three Mothers
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture Examines Motherhood in May Public Programming
Museum Resumes In-person Programming This Month After Two-Year Hiatus
05.02.2022
African American Museum Public Programs
Two people dancing barefoot inside National Portrait Gallery

Credit: Rehearsal for “El Muro/The Wall” by Dana Tai Soon Burgess. Photo by Jeff Malet. Courtesy Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Co.   

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company To Debut Two New Performances as Its National Portrait Gallery Residency Extends for Final Leg
“El Muro/The Wall” Debuts May 17, 18 and 19; “A Tribute to Maya Lin” Debuts Oct. 16, 23 and 30
04.27.2022
Portrait Gallery Public Programs
Illustration of moon surface
Smithsonian and Meta Invite Visitors To “Walk on the Moon” in Exclusive New Virtual Reality Experience at the “FUTURES” Exhibition
Installation Will Serve as a Preview To Learning in the Metaverse With Pioneering Immersive Technology Bringing Rarely Seen Archival Materials to Life
04.25.2022
Arts and Industries Public Programs
Graphic illustration of skateboarders and text "Innoskate 2022"
Smithsonian Institution, USA Skateboarding and Levitt at the Falls Collaborate To Bring Innoskate Festival to Sioux Falls and Pine Ridge
Innoskate Festival Celebrates and Explores Connections Between Skateboarding, Invention, Music and Creativity
04.21.2022
American History Museum Public Programs
Exterior of Arts and Industries building
New in May at Smithsonian, Visitors Can Come Outside and Play as “FUTURES Field Day” Takes Over the National Mall Memorial Day Weekend
Plus, a Futuristic Runway Show of Avant-Garde and Emerging Designers Featuring HBO Max’s Legendary and The Hype, Eco-rapper Hila the Killa and More
04.20.2022
Arts and Industries Public Programs
Man sculpts hot glass

Mac Holt Photography

National Museum of the American Indian Presents “Raven and the Evolution of Glass Artist Preston Singletary” May 7 and 8
Acclaimed Artist Preston Singletary To Discuss His Art During In-person Programs
04.14.2022
American Indian Museum Public Programs
Outdoor garden with solar powered recharge stations in foreground

Smithsonian Solar-Powered Recharge Stations in the Enid A. Haupt Garden by James Gagliardi

New Smithsonian Solar-Powered Clean Energy “Recharge Stations” To Debut as Part of “FUTURES” Exhibition
Visitors to the National Mall Can Now Recharge Their Devices, and Themselves, at Eco-Friendly Solar-Powered Installations
04.13.2022
Smithsonian Gardens Arts and Industries Exhibitions Public Programs
Smithsonian Craft Show graphic with a ring and logo
Smithsonian’s Craft Show Opens April 20
Juried Fine Craft Show Is Once Again In-Person
03.31.2022
Public Programs
Panda climbs tree while upside down

Credit: Smithsonian's National Zoo.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and National Head Start Association Partner to Reach Children Nationwide About Animals and Conservation
Virtual Zoo Field Trip Series Kicks Off April 7 With Giant Pandas
03.31.2022
National Zoo Public Programs Education News

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