Exhibitions

Newsroom of the Smithsonian

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

White plaster mold of woman wearing graduation cap and gown, holding a black rose in one hand and cane in the other.

This original plaster model was used to create the sculpture of Mary McLeod Bethune, which was installed in the National Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. Credit: Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, gift of Nilda Maria Comas, copyright Nilda Comas.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Announces New Exhibition Exploring the Legacy and Impact of Mary McLeod Bethune
“Forces for Change” Opens Friday, July 19
07.19.2024
African American Museum Exhibitions
Photograph of a brick street, lined with trees, people walking, and string lights in a zig-zag pattern.
Photo: Roberto Ruiz, Image courtesy of Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona. Installed on Las Ramblas, Barcelona, as part of Felix Gonzalez-Torres: The Politics of Relation. Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), Barcelona, Spain. 26 Mar. – 19 Se
“Untitled” (America) (1994).

Credit: “Untitled” (America) (1994), Twelve parts, each: 42 light bulbs, waterproof rubber light sockets, and waterproof electrical cord. Overall dimensions vary with installation. Copyright Estate Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Courtesy Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation.

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Image of a brick street lined with trees, people walking, and string lights in zig zag pattern above.

Credit: “Untitled” (America) (1994), Twelve parts, each: 42 light bulbs, waterproof rubber light sockets, and waterproof electrical cord. Overall dimensions vary with installation. Copyright Estate Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Courtesy Felix Gonzalez-Torres Foundation. Photo: Roberto Ruiz, Image courtesy of Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona. Installed on Las Ramblas, Barcelona, as part of Felix Gonzalez-Torres: The Politics of Relation. Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), Barcelona, Spain. 26 Mar. – 19 Sep. 2021. Cur. Tanya Barson.

National Portrait Gallery and the Archives of American Art Present “Felix Gonzalez-Torres: Always to Return”
On View Oct. 18–July 6, 2025
07.11.2024
Archives of American Art Portrait Gallery Exhibitions
polygraph machine

Polygraph (cardio-pneumo-psychograph); 1921. Gift of City of Berkeley Police Department. Photo by Jaclyn Nash, National Museum of American History.

Smithsonian’s “Forensic Science on Trial” Exhibition Explores What Happens When Science Enters the Courtroom
Crimes and Science Across 150 Years of History On View June 28
06.27.2024
American History Museum Exhibitions
Page of an old book with script on the right side in two columns and a colorful illustration of four figures on the left.

Detail of “Folio from a ‘Shahnama’ (‘Book of Kings’) by Firdawsi (d. 1020); Anushirvan bestowing largess upon his minister Buzurjmihr” / Credit: National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Collection, Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment, F1942.2 (detail)

National Museum of Asian Art Presents “An Epic of Kings: The Great Mongol Shahnama”
Reuniting More Than 20 Folios From a Dispersed Masterpiece of a Medieval Persian Manuscript—Nearly 700 Years Old
06.17.2024
Asian Art Museum Exhibitions
Painted, stylized portrait with bright yellow background of a man with long oval face.face.

“James Baldwin” by Beauford Delaney, pastel on paper, 1963. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Copyright Estate of Beauford Delaney by permission of Derek L. Spratley, Esquire, Court Appointed Administrator; courtesy of Michael Rosenfeld Gallery LLC, New York.

National Portrait Gallery Announces “This Morning, This Evening, So Soon: James Baldwin and the Voices of Queer Resistance”
On view July 12–April 20, 2025
06.11.2024
Portrait Gallery Exhibitions
Colorful horizontal illustration with orange background and three figures, one carrying cross and another wiping his face.

Bruce Onobrakpeya, b. 1932, Nigeria, Station VI: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus (detail), 1969, linoleum block
print on rice paper, gift of Mr. George A. Naifeh, collection of the High Museum of Art, Atlanta.

National Museum of African Art Presents “Bruce Onobrakpeya: The Mask and the Cross”
Highlights Celebrated Printmaker and His Legacy in Nigeria
06.07.2024
African Art Museum Exhibitions
Print with purple background, transparent pink overlapped typefont and opaque yellow typefont.

Collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Gail Anderson, copyright Gail Anderson.

National Museum of African American History and Culture To Display Space Devoted to Black Design
05.30.2024
African American Museum Exhibitions
Bronze relief of a large figure holding long stick and smaller figures holding various items flanking him.

Edo artist, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, Plaque, Mid-16th to 17th century, Copper alloy.

National Museum of African Art Displays Nine Benin Bronzes on Loan From the Government of Nigeria
Special Exhibition To Mark the Museum’s 60th Anniversary
05.23.2024
African Art Museum Exhibitions
A textile with a black silhouette of a woman leaping in the air.

Emma Amos, “Winning,” 1982, acrylic on linen with hand-woven fabric, 75 × 64 in. (190.5 × 162.6 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, museum purchase made possible by the Catherine Walden Myer Fund, 2019.15, Copyright 1982, Ryan Lee Gallery, New York.

New Exhibition at the Renwick Gallery Celebrates Women Artists Who Revolutionized Fiber as a Powerful Medium for Contemporary Art
05.20.2024
Renwick Gallery Exhibitions
Black and white picture of Abraham Lincoln in ornate gold oval frame.

Abraham Lincoln by George Clark, ambrotype campaign pin, 1860. National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.

National Portrait Gallery Presents “Picturing the Presidents: Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection”
05.16.2024
Portrait Gallery Exhibitions
Painting of green landscape in daylight with man in hat crouched in the distance.

“Blossom Time” (detail), Willard Metcalf (1858–1925), United States, 1910, oil on canvas, National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, Freer Gallery of Art Collection, Gift of Charles Lang Freer, F1915.27a-b

National Museum of Asian Art Presents “Shifting Boundaries: Perspectives on American Landscapes”
Engaging a Multiplicity of Viewpoints, Exhibition Looks at Paintings of New England From a New Angle, Considers Human Impact, Indigenous Histories and Environmental Changes
05.08.2024
Asian Art Museum Exhibitions
Two men in dark puffy jackets and glasses stand against wall of colorful grafitti.
New Date: “OSGEMEOS: Endless Story” To Open Sept. 29
First US Museum Survey and Largest US Exhibit of Artwork by Brazil’s OSGEMEOS Will Showcase Almost 1,000 Artworks, Sept. 29–Aug. 3, 2025
04.26.2024
Hirshhorn Museum Exhibitions
Black, silver, and steel motorcycle with kickstand down against white background.

Robert M. Pirsig’s 1966 Honda Super Hawk Motorcycle. Photograph by Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

“Zen and the Open Road” To Feature Most Famous Forgotten Motorcycle
On View in the National Museum of American History’s Transportation Gallery
04.09.2024
American History Museum Exhibitions
Man wearing glasses and long-sleeved button-down with pants leans over back tire of motorcycle.
Courtesy of Wendy Pirsig
Pirsig and his 1966 Honda Super Hawk Motorcycle
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Bound papers with blocks of green and blue and large stamped text saying Shop Manual.
Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Honda Super Hawk maintenance manual owned by Robert Pirsig
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Book with black cover, graphic of wrench, and grey text.
Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
First edition cover of Robert M. Pirsig "Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values."
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Side view of black and silver motorcycle, with kickstand down, against white background.
Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Pirsig Motorcycle Profile
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Close-up image of circular dial with numbers indicating speed on a motorcycle.
Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Pirsig Motorcycle close-up
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Black motorcycle with two books and a leather bag on ground next to it.
Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Pirsig Motorcycle, book and manuscript
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Motorcycle with high handles and rearview mirrors, kickstands, and black paint.
Jaclyn Nash, Smithsonian National Museum of American History
Robert Pirsig 1966 Honda Super Hawk Motorcycle
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Older written document with creasing on paper from age and cursive handwriting.

National Archives, Washington, DC | Transcript: Originally published in Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties, compiled and edited by Charles J. Kappler, 1904; digitized by Oklahoma State University.

Quapaw Treaty of 1818 To Go On View at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian
04.03.2024
American Indian Museum Exhibitions
Multicolored quilt with repeating patterns and large blue square in center.

Unidentified Maker​​, Crazy Star; ca. 1920​​, Arthur, Illinois​​, cotton and wool; 74 x 63 ½ in. (detail), Collection of Faith and Stephen Brown, Promised gift to the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

New Exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum Examines Traditional and Innovative Designs by Amish Women Quilters
Presentation Features Recent Gift From Collectors Faith and Stephen Brown
03.27.2024
American Art Museum Exhibitions New Acquisitions
Turquoise-colored ceramic with painted small orange koi fish and a slice of lime, small gray and white bird on top.
Smithsonian Craft Show Opens May 1
The Country’s Best Contemporary Craft for Purchase at Juried Event
03.27.2024
Exhibitions Public Programs

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